The measurement of psychodynamic variables

The paper is concerned with the integration of psychodynamic theory with psychometric theory in order to find meaningful ways to measure psychodynamic variables. Four reasons are suggested for the use of self-report tests in psychotherapy research. These include the need for reliable measuring instruments, cost-efficient methods of data collection, and the progressive refinement of "fuzzy" concepts through the process of test construction. A three-stage approach to outpatient assessment is presented which is called sequential psychodiagnostic evaluation. The first stage refers to the evaluation of crisis issues such as suicidality or psychosis; the second to egodystonic symptom assessment; and the third refers to the assessment of egodystonic states such as personality traits, ego strength and defenses. The construction of a number of these scales is illustrated and their use in a research study of predictors of psychotherapy outcome described.