title: The Effectiveness of Short- and Long-Term Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy on Self-Concept: Three Years Follow-Up of a Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: We compared differences in self-concept change across three years after short-(STG) and long-term (LTG) psychodynamic group psychotherapy, in a mixed sample of outpatients. Self-concept was assessed at baseline and three years later, using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior Questionnaire. Vector scores Affiliation and Autonomy were primary, and the eight cluster scores-self-free, self-affirm, self-love, self-protect, self-control, self-blame, self-attack, and self-neglect-were secondary outcome measures. Within group univariate analyses showed change in LTG across three years on the vector scores Affiliation and Autonomy, while STG only changed on Autonomy. Comparisons between STG and LTG demonstrated a significantly larger improvement in Affiliation in LTG than in STG. This difference was explained by a higher improvement in the cluster scores of self-blame, self-attack, and self-neglect in LTG, dimensions that weight negatively on the Affiliation score. Patients with more serious self-neglect and harsh, punitive self-attack/self-blame may profit more in long-term than in short-term groups.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo and the Department for Research and Development, Clinic for Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Steinar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lorentzen
authors.affiliation: Department for Research and Development, Clinic for Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fjeldstad
authors.affiliation: Department for Research and Development, Division of Mental Health Services, Akershus University Hospital, L∅renskog, Norway, and the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo.
authors.forename: Torleif
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ruud
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marble
authors.affiliation: Department for Research and Development, Clinic for Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Klungsøyr
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestfold Hospital Trust, T∅nsberg, Norway.
authors.forename: Randi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ulberg
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo.
authors.forename: Per A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Høglend
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D064889:Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept