Background: Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theories assume that depression is concomitant with typical transference patterns. We tested whether depression can indeed be understood in these terms, and determined a parsimonious set of transference themes that are most typical of depression.
Method: Transference patterns were assessed with the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) method, which examines transference patterns (wishes, responses of the other, and responses of the self), and which was applied to clinical interview data from mental health outpatients. Depression was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Data were analyzed by means of the leaps and bounds regression algorithm and bootstrapping.
Results: Depression can significantly be explained by typical wishes, typical subjective perceptions of how the other responds, and typical responses of the self to the other. We mapped a set of four transference themes that are most representative of depression: (1) a strong wish to feel happy guides interactions, (2) the perception that others dislike one is typical, (3) one's own reactions of disliking others are apparent, and (4) one experiences feelings of helplessness.
Limitations: No control group was used. The limited amount of research in the field and the various methodological approaches in different studies make it difficult to compare our findings.
Conclusion: Linking depression to transference patterns is valid. The set of transference themes that were selected cohere in a meaningful way. These themes can be expected when clinically treating depressed patients.