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Zeeck A, Lau I, Endorf K, Schaefer L, Euler S, Lahmann C, Hartmann A. Mentalizing in psychotherapeutic processes of patients with eating disorders. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1367863. [PMID: 38707623 PMCID: PMC11067051 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1367863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Improvement in the capacity to mentalize (i.e., reflective functioning/RF) is considered both, an outcome variable as well as a possible change mechanism in psychotherapy. We explored variables related to (in-session) RF in patients with an eating disorder (ED) treated in a pilot study on a Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) - oriented day hospital program. The research questions were secondary and focused on the psychotherapeutic process: What average RF does the group of patients show in sessions and does it change over the course of a single session? Are differences found between sections in which ED symptomatology is discussed and those in which it is not? Does RF increase after MBT-type interventions? Methods 1232 interaction segments from 77 therapy sessions of 19 patients with EDs were rated for RF by reliable raters using the In-Session RF Scale. Additionally, content (ED symptomatology yes/no) and certain MBT interventions were coded. Statistical analysis was performed by mixed models. Results Patients showed a rather low RF, which increased on average over the course of a session. If ED symptomatology was discussed, this was associated with significantly lower RF, while MBT-type interventions led to a significant increase in RF. Conclusions Results suggest that in-session mentalizing can be stimulated by MBT-typical interventions. RF seems to be more impaired when disorder-specific issues are addressed. Further studies have to show if improving a patient´s ability to mentalize their own symptoms is related to better outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almut Zeeck
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine und Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Inga Lau
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine und Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Katharina Endorf
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine und Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Laura Schaefer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine und Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Sebastian Euler
- Department of Consultation Psychiatry and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Claas Lahmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine und Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Armin Hartmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine und Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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Dangerfield M, Brotnow Decker L. Mentalization based treatment of youth on the psychotic spectrum: clinical profiles and outcomes for youth in the ECID. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1206511. [PMID: 37469356 PMCID: PMC10352583 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1206511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Early intervention may significantly improve the prognosis associated with psychotic disorders in adulthood. Methods The present study examined the acceptability and effectiveness of a standalone intensive, in-home, mentalization-based treatment (MBT) for extremely high-risk, non-help-seeking youth on the psychotic spectrum [Equipo Clínico de Intervención a Domicilio (ECID), Home Intervention Clinical Team]. Results Despite previously being unable to participate in treatment, more than 90% of youth engaged and those on the psychotic spectrum demonstrated slightly higher engagement than the general high-risk group (95% and 85%, respectively, X1 = 4.218, p = 0.049). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models revealed no main group effect on the likelihood of reengaging with school over the first 12 months of treatment (X1 = 1.015, p = 0.314) when controlling for the duration of school absenteeism at intake. Overall, the percentage of school engagement rose from 12 to 55 over this period, more than 40% of the total sample experienced clinically reliable change and an additional 50% appeared clinically stable. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in the average change in HoNOSCA total severity score (X1 = 0.249, p = 0.618) or the distribution of youth into categories of clinical change during the first year of treatment (X1 = 0.068, p = 0.795). Discussion The present findings suggest that a mentalization based intervention may be able to engage extremely high-risk youth in treatment and have clinically meaningful impact on symptom severity and functioning after 12 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Dangerfield
- Vidal and Barraquer University Institute of Mental Health, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain
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Ruiz-Parra E, Manzano-García G, Mediavilla R, Rodríguez-Vega B, Lahera G, Moreno-Pérez AI, Torres-Cantero AM, Rodado-Martínez J, Bilbao A, González-Torres MÁ. The Spanish version of the reflective functioning questionnaire: Validity data in the general population and individuals with personality disorders. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0274378. [PMID: 37023214 PMCID: PMC10079014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mentalization or reflective functioning (RF) is the capacity to interpret oneself or the others in terms of internal mental states. Its failures have been linked to several mental disorders and interventions improving RF have a therapeutic effect. Mentalizing capacity of the parents influences the children's attachment. The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) is a widely used tool for the assessment of RF. No instrument is available to assess general RF in Spanish-speaking samples. The aim of this study is to develop a Spanish version of the RFQ-8 and to evaluate its reliability and validity in the general population and in individuals with personality disorders. METHODS 602 non-clinical and 41 personality disordered participants completed a Spanish translation of the RFQ and a battery of self-reported questionnaires assessing several RF related constructs (alexithymia, perspective taking, identity diffusion and mindfulness), psychopathology (general and specific) and interpersonal problems. Temporal stability was tested in a non-clinical sub-sample of 113 participants. RESULTS Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested a one-factor structure in the Spanish version of the RFQ-8. RFQ-8 understood as a single scale was tested, with low scorings reflecting genuine mentalizing, and high scorings uncertainty. The questionnaire showed good internal consistence in both samples and moderate temporal stability in non-clinical sample. RFQ correlated significantly with identity diffusion, alexithymia, and general psychopathology in both samples; and with mindfulness, perspective taking, and interpersonal problems in clinical sample. Mean values of the scale were significantly higher in the clinical group. DISCUSSION This study provides evidence that the Spanish version of the RFQ-8, understood as a single scale, has an adequate reliability and validity assessing failures in reflective functioning (i.e., hypomentalization) in general population and personality disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Ruiz-Parra
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Roberto Mediavilla
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- La Paz Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Rodríguez-Vega
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- La Paz Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Mental Health, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Lahera
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I. Moreno-Pérez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto M. Torres-Cantero
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical Hospital, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Rodado-Martínez
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Amaia Bilbao
- Research Unit, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
- Health Service Research Network on Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), Madrid, Spain
- Kronikgune Institute for Health Services Research, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel González-Torres
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
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Saure E, Raevuori A, Laasonen M, Lepistö-Paisley T. Emotion recognition, alexithymia, empathy, and emotion regulation in women with anorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27:3587-3597. [PMID: 36258146 PMCID: PMC9803740 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01496-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with challenges in recognizing, understanding, and interpreting one's own and other's emotional states, feelings, and thoughts. It is unknown whether difficulties in emotion processing occur independently of common comorbid symptoms of AN and predict acute eating disorder characteristics. We aimed to examine emotion recognition, alexithymia, emotion regulation, and empathy in individuals with AN and to assess whether these predict eating disorder symptoms independently from comorbid symptoms. METHODS Participants included 42 women with AN and 40 healthy control (HC) women between 18-30 years. Basic and complex emotion recognition was assessed with face photos and video clips. Alexithymia, empathy, emotion regulation, and comorbid symptoms (anxiety, depressive, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and ASD traits) were assessed with self-assessment questionnaires. RESULTS Participants with AN exhibited difficulties in basic and complex emotion recognition, as well as increased alexithymia, decreased empathy, and challenges in emotion regulation when compared to HCs. After controlling for comorbid symptoms, differences remained only in complex emotion recognition. Challenges in emotion recognition were associated with lower body mass index, and increased alexithymia was associated with increased eating disorder symptoms. Increased challenges in emotion regulation were associated with a shorter duration of illness, higher body mass index, and increased eating disorder symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Participants with AN displayed widespread deficit in emotion processing, but only challenges in complex emotion recognition occurred independently from comorbid symptoms. Deficits in emotion processing may contribute to the illness severity and thus could be an important treatment target. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, case-control analytic study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Saure
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
- BABA Center and Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Anu Raevuori
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marja Laasonen
- School of Humanities, Philosophical Faculty, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Tuulia Lepistö-Paisley
- Department of Child Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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