Psychic structure: exploring an empirically still unknown territory

J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 2009 Feb;57(1):149-73. doi: 10.1177/0003065108330085.

Abstract

The Scales of Psychological Capacities (SPC) were developed to gauge structural change, the mode-specific effect of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapies. In this study, as a first step, basic psychometric properties that assess psychic structure were examined. Construct validity was investigated as predictive validity in a known-groups approach. Two predictions were formulated: (1) there are differences in psychic structure between borderline patients, depressive patients, and healthy controls that are verified by the SPC, and (2) borderline patients show inconsistent and divergent self- and object representations most frequently, followed by depressive patients and, finally, by healthy controls, a fact reflected by the SPC. These scales were applied to a sample of 33 borderline patients, 36 depressed women, and 36 healthy controls. Both predictions were confirmed. Thus, empirical evidence is provided of the SPC being a valid measure for assessing psychic structure.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / diagnosis
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Object Attachment
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychoanalytic Therapy*
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Concept
  • Young Adult