title: Change in defense mechanisms during short-term dynamic and cognitive therapy in patients with cluster C personality disorders.
abstract: The aims of this study were to examine whether a change in overall defensive functioning during treatment a) would predict change in symptom distress during the course of treatment and follow-up and b) would be greater in short-term dynamic therapy than in cognitive therapy. Patients (N = 50) who met criteria for cluster C personality disorders were randomized to 40 weekly sessions of short-term dynamic therapy or cognitive therapy. Video recordings of a pretreatment interview and therapy session 36 were evaluated using the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales. Symptom distress was measured using the revised version of Symptom Checklist-90. Change in overall defensive functioning during treatment predicted change in symptom distress from pretreatment to 2 years after treatment. Both treatment groups showed significant changes in defensive functioning toward greater adaptability but without any significant differences between the short-term dynamic therapy and cognitive therapy groups in a sample of patients with cluster C personality disorders.
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. pal.johansen@ntnu.no
authors: Pål-Ørjan
authors: PØ
authors: Johansen
authors: Teri S
authors: TS
authors: Krebs
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Svartberg
authors: Tore C
authors: TC
authors: Stiles
authors: Are
authors: A
authors: Holen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D016896:Treatment Outcome