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Stereotypical relationship patterns and psychopathology
M Cierpka1, M Strack, D Benninghoven
1Center for Family Therapy, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Background:
We explored the relationship between the consistency of relationship patterns and the severity of psychopathology.
Method:
Relationship patterns were assessed by means of Relationship Anecdote Paradigm interviews rated according to the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) method. The repetition of the same type of CCRT components across relationship narratives indicated stereotypical patterns.
Results:
Subjects treated in an inpatient setting (n = 25) told narratives with more consistent patterns than subjects in an outpatient setting (n = 32). Relationship episodes of normal adults (n = 23) were more flexible compared with the two clinical groups. Especially repetitions of the wish component were closely associated with the severity of psychopathology assessed by SCL-90R.
Conclusions:
The consistency of relationship patterns seems to be connected with the severity of psychopathology.