Defensive mechanisms and personality structure in an early adolescent boy: process and outcome issues in a non-intensive psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy

The main aim of this paper is to empirically assess defense mechanisms trends and personality structure in a once a week psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy with an early adolescent, affected by a General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Assessment and outcome measure included the Shedler-Westen Assess...

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Main Authors: Daniela Di Riso, Alessandro Gennaro, Silvia Salcuni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2015-12-01
Series:Research in Psychotherapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.researchinpsychotherapy.org/index.php/rpsy/article/view/176
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author Daniela Di Riso
Alessandro Gennaro
Silvia Salcuni
author_facet Daniela Di Riso
Alessandro Gennaro
Silvia Salcuni
author_sort Daniela Di Riso
collection DOAJ
description The main aim of this paper is to empirically assess defense mechanisms trends and personality structure in a once a week psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy with an early adolescent, affected by a General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Assessment and outcome measure included the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure for Adolescents (SWAP-200-A); process was evaluated through defensive mechanisms analysis, using Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale (DMRS). The paper focused on 12 sessions divided into three periods, along 2 years of treatment. Quantitative and narrative profiles of SWAP-200-A and DMRS were integrated; a log linear procedure was chosen to assess defensive mechanisms trends longitudinally during the treatment. Moreover a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was applied to DMRS to provide a map of the evolution of the patterns of defense mechanisms throughout the course of treatment. Personality assessment and defensive mechanisms showed an inhibited self-critical image with obsessive, narcissistic and disavowal patterns. According to trends during treatment phases, MCA analysis identified decreasing in defensive patterns, while mature defenses increased significantly. The study highlighted how non-intensive psychoanalytic psychotherapy can help early adolescents with clinical problems to improve their overall mental functioning. Outcome in terms of personality structural changes and process according to defense mechanisms were discussed to highlight improvement not just in symptomatology, but also in personality structure and functioning.
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spelling doaj.art-c7d6bf16c2074a7782c21648a62555e42022-12-22T02:29:57ZengPAGEPress PublicationsResearch in Psychotherapy2499-75522239-80312015-12-0118210.4081/ripppo.2015.176Defensive mechanisms and personality structure in an early adolescent boy: process and outcome issues in a non-intensive psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapyDaniela Di Riso0Alessandro Gennaro1Silvia Salcuni2Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, Università degli Studi di Padova, PaduaDepartment of Pedagogical, Psychological and Didactical Sciences, Università del Salento, LecceDepartment of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, Università degli Studi di Padova, PaduaThe main aim of this paper is to empirically assess defense mechanisms trends and personality structure in a once a week psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy with an early adolescent, affected by a General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Assessment and outcome measure included the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure for Adolescents (SWAP-200-A); process was evaluated through defensive mechanisms analysis, using Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale (DMRS). The paper focused on 12 sessions divided into three periods, along 2 years of treatment. Quantitative and narrative profiles of SWAP-200-A and DMRS were integrated; a log linear procedure was chosen to assess defensive mechanisms trends longitudinally during the treatment. Moreover a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was applied to DMRS to provide a map of the evolution of the patterns of defense mechanisms throughout the course of treatment. Personality assessment and defensive mechanisms showed an inhibited self-critical image with obsessive, narcissistic and disavowal patterns. According to trends during treatment phases, MCA analysis identified decreasing in defensive patterns, while mature defenses increased significantly. The study highlighted how non-intensive psychoanalytic psychotherapy can help early adolescents with clinical problems to improve their overall mental functioning. Outcome in terms of personality structural changes and process according to defense mechanisms were discussed to highlight improvement not just in symptomatology, but also in personality structure and functioning.https://www.researchinpsychotherapy.org/index.php/rpsy/article/view/176ProcessOutcomePersonalityDefenses mechanism
spellingShingle Daniela Di Riso
Alessandro Gennaro
Silvia Salcuni
Defensive mechanisms and personality structure in an early adolescent boy: process and outcome issues in a non-intensive psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy
Research in Psychotherapy
Process
Outcome
Personality
Defenses mechanism
title Defensive mechanisms and personality structure in an early adolescent boy: process and outcome issues in a non-intensive psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy
title_full Defensive mechanisms and personality structure in an early adolescent boy: process and outcome issues in a non-intensive psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy
title_fullStr Defensive mechanisms and personality structure in an early adolescent boy: process and outcome issues in a non-intensive psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy
title_full_unstemmed Defensive mechanisms and personality structure in an early adolescent boy: process and outcome issues in a non-intensive psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy
title_short Defensive mechanisms and personality structure in an early adolescent boy: process and outcome issues in a non-intensive psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy
title_sort defensive mechanisms and personality structure in an early adolescent boy process and outcome issues in a non intensive psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy
topic Process
Outcome
Personality
Defenses mechanism
url https://www.researchinpsychotherapy.org/index.php/rpsy/article/view/176
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