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Reflective Functioning and Treatment Alliance as Treatment Outcome Predictors of Psychoanalysis

Bryant, Elizabeth A.

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, Psychology.
Patient variables account for more variance in psychotherapy outcomes than any other variable (Bohart & Wade, 2013). Reflective functioning, which is an individual’s ability to understand the inner world of oneself and others, and to use that understanding to guide behavior within a relationship, is recognized as a patient variable that is related to treatment outcomes (Fonagy, Target, Steele, & Steele, 1998; Safran, Muran, & Shaker, 2014). The therapeutic alliance is also established as an important variable that relates to outcome (Horvath & Bedi, 2002; Lambert & Barley, 2002; Martin, Garske, & Davis, 2000). The current study evaluated how reflective functioning and the therapeutic alliance are related to treatment outcome. These variables were rated on an archival records sample of 27 fully recorded analyses between 1968 and 2011. The mean age of the participants was 33 years and 48% were female, while all seven analysts were male. Reflective functioning at the beginning of treatment predicted changes in diagnostic status and changes in psychiatric dysfunction over the course of treatment. Working alliance was not predictive of treatment outcomes. The capacity for reflective functioning an individual possesses at the start of treatment plays a significant role in symptom reduction.
Karl Stukenberg, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Chair)
Nicholas Salsman, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member)
Christine Dacey, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member)
50 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bryant, E. A. (2020). Reflective Functioning and Treatment Alliance as Treatment Outcome Predictors of Psychoanalysis [Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xupsy1596479977189954

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bryant, Elizabeth. Reflective Functioning and Treatment Alliance as Treatment Outcome Predictors of Psychoanalysis. 2020. Xavier University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xupsy1596479977189954.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bryant, Elizabeth. "Reflective Functioning and Treatment Alliance as Treatment Outcome Predictors of Psychoanalysis." Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xupsy1596479977189954

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)