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. 2020 Oct 26;60(1):362-380.
doi: 10.5334/pb.511.

The Influence of Interpersonal Patterns on the Therapy Process in a Case of Childhood Trauma

Kimberly Van Nieuwenhove  1 , Reitske Meganck  1 , Emma Acke  1 , Shana Cornelis  1 , Mattias Desmet  1
Affiliations

The Influence of Interpersonal Patterns on the Therapy Process in a Case of Childhood Trauma

Kimberly Van Nieuwenhove et al. Psychol Belg. .

Abstract

Research concerning the influence of core interpersonal patterns related to childhood trauma on the therapeutic process is scarce. We investigated interpersonal patterns at the start of treatment, changes in interpersonal patterns as treatment progressed, and the change process in a mixed-methods single case study of a supportive-expressive psychodynamic psychotherapy with a 33-year-old female with a history of childhood trauma. The patient showed a pervasive inability to open up towards others throughout the entire treatment, which is closely associated with others' actual or anticipated rejection, disrespect and disinterest. Excessive use of expressive interventions, which target interpersonal change, initially led to a worsening of the patient's condition. Via supportive and general interventions, symptom stabilization was achieved. The findings of this study suggest a thorough understanding of dominant interpersonal patterns is necessary to recognize their influence on the therapy process.

Keywords: childhood trauma; interpersonal dynamics; psychodynamic therapy; single case study; therapy process and outcome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Quantitative self-report (lower half) and interview and qualitative measures (upper half) throughout the research and therapy process. Note: Due to missing values, the total scores for the SCL-90-R at post-treatment and the BDI-II at 12-month follow-up could not be calculated. CDI: Clinical Diagnostic Interview; SCID-I: Structured Clinical interview for DSM-IV axis-I disorders; SCID-II: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV personality disorders; CCI: Clinical Change Interview; BDI: Beck Depression Inventory; IIP-32: Inventory of Interpersonal Problems; SCL-90-R: Symptom Checklist; ZIL: Self-rating Inventory for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; WAI: Working Alliance Inventory.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Evolution in outcome measures (z-scores). Note: IIP: Inventory of Interpersonal Problems; BDI: Beck Depression Inventory; SCL-90-R: Symptom Checklist.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Supportive and expressive interventions throughout the treatment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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