Agreements and differences between psychoanalysts with regard to changes observed during a treatment. A quantitative...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychoanalysis

Background:

• Psychoanalytic treatment aims to facilitate patient change.
• Understanding how psychoanalysts perceive and hypothesize about therapeutic change is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how psychoanalysts with diverse orientations perceive and utilize change hypotheses.
• To explore the application of the Three-Level Model (3-LM) in observing patient transformations.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory investigation involving twelve psychoanalysts.
• Utilized the Three-Level Model (3-LM) for data collection on patient changes.
• Statistical analysis of variables related to perceived change in mental functioning.

Main Results:

• Significant agreement among psychoanalysts on the positive impact of psychoanalytic treatment across various mental functioning areas.
• Consensus on explanatory hypotheses for observed patient changes.
• Perceived usefulness of group exchange with the 3-LM for observing and understanding patient changes.

Conclusions:

• Psychoanalytic treatment demonstrates a positive impact on patient mental functioning.
• The Three-Level Model (3-LM) and group exchange are valuable tools for understanding therapeutic change.
• Theoretical-clinical orientation did not significantly affect agreement on core aspects of treatment change.