The challenge of treatment for clients with dismissing states of mind

Thirty-four clients with serious psychopathological disorders were videotaped solving interpersonal problems with significant others or with case managers. Differential reliance on dismissing states of mind was examined in relation to behavioral ratings of clients during the interactions, and in relation to changes in clients' and partners' reports of feelings. Clients who relied more on dismissing strategies showed greater rejection of significant others, but not of case managers, compared with clients who relied more on preoccupied strategies. The partners of dismissing clients reported greater sadness following problem-solving interactions than the partners of preoccupied clients. Clients who relied more on dismissing strategies spent less time on task when interacting with their case managers than clients who relied more on preoccupied strategies, and reported more confusion following these interactions. These findings suggest that treatment is likely to provide a particularly challenging context for adults with dismissing states of mind.