Enhancing mentalization by specific interventions within mentalization-based treatment of adolescents with conduct disorder

ObjectiveMentalization is discussed as a mechanism of change in psychotherapy due to its positive effects on psychological functioning. In order to specifically apply mentalization-based interventions, a better understanding of the relationship between interventions and in-session mentalization is n...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kasper, Lea A. (Author) , Hauschild, Sophie (Author) , Schrauf, Lisa M. (Author) , Taubner, Svenja (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 08 January 2024
In: Frontiers in psychology
Year: 2024, Volume: 14, Pages: 1-14
ISSN:1664-1078
DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1223040
Online Access:Resolving-System, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1223040
Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1223040
Get full text
Author Notes:Lea A. Kasper, Sophie Hauschild, Lisa M. Schrauf and Svenja Taubner
Description
Summary:ObjectiveMentalization is discussed as a mechanism of change in psychotherapy due to its positive effects on psychological functioning. In order to specifically apply mentalization-based interventions, a better understanding of the relationship between interventions and in-session mentalization is needed. The study aimed to explore the association between interventions and effective mentalizing.MethodFifteen therapy sessions of three therapies with male adolescents with conduct disorder were transcribed and rated with the Reflective Functioning (RF) Scale and a newly developed Mentalization-based Treatment (MBT) intervention coding manual. The coded interventions were categorized into intervention levels according to the MBT manual. Fisher’s exact tests were performed to test differences in frequencies of interventions in high-RF sequences (RF score ≥ 4) compared with remaining therapy sequences (RF score ≤ 3).ResultsSpecific MBT interventions such as demand questions, affectelaboration, empathic validation, change of subject, challenge, patienttherapist relation and mentalizing for the patient were related to effective mentalizing. Moreover, intervention levels such as supportive & empathic, basic- mentalizing & affect mode and relational mentalizing were positively associated with effective mentalizing.ConclusionMBT interventions seem to promote effective mentalizing at various intervention levels. Interventions that enhance effective mentalizing seem to be patient specific. In line with MBT theory, their effect on effective mentalizing might depend on various variables, such as the patients’ arousal and pre-mentalizing mode.
Item Description:Gesehen am 20.02.2024
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1664-1078
DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1223040