ACT em grupo para manejo de ansiedade entre universitários: ensaio clínico randomizado / Group therapy based on act for anxiety management among university students: randomized clinical trial / Terapia grupal basada en ACT para el manejo de la ansiedad entre estudiantes universitarios: ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Estima-se que um a cada cinco estudantes universitários ao redor do mundo apresenta algum tipo de transtorno psicológico, dentre os quais os transtornos de ansiedade são os mais prevalentes. Este estudo consiste em um ensaio clínico randomizado com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia e efetividade de um protocolo semiestruturado de psicoterapia em grupo baseado nos princípios da Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso (ACT) para o tratamento de ansiedade entre estudantes universitários. Os participantes foram alocados aleatoriamente entre os grupos intervenção e controle. Os níveis de ansiedade pré e pós-intervenção foram avaliados por meio do instrumento General Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7). A amostra final do estudo foi composta por 15 pessoas, dentre as quais 10 foram alocadas no grupo intervenção e 5, no grupo controle. Os resultados foram analisados de duas formas: a) por protocolo (Per-protocol analysis); e b) por intenção de tratar (Intention-to-treat Analysis). Este tratamento reduziu a sintomatologia ansiosa em 39,7% entre os pacientes que completaram o tratamento (por protocolo, p=0,030) e em 30,8% entre todos alocados para o grupo intervenção (i.e., por intenção de tratar, incluindo os dropouts, p=0,035), enquanto os controles não tiveram redução significativa no mesmo período. Portanto, recomenda-se a utilização deste protocolo dentro do contexto universitário como uma alternativa viável ao acompanhamento individual em situações de transtornos de ansiedade. Pesquisas futuras com amostras maiores podem contribuir na consolidação deste protocolo.

One in every five university students around the world is estimated to have some type of psychological disorder, considering anxiety disorders as the most prevalent. This study consists in a randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate efficacy and effectiveness of a semi-structured group psychotherapy protocol based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for the treatment of anxiety among university students. Participants were randomly allocated in the intervention and control groups. Pre- and post-intervention anxiety levels were measured using the General Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. The study sample was composed of 15 people, 10 of whom were allocated to the intervention group and 5 to the control group. Results were analyzed in two ways: 1) Per protocol analysis; and 2) Intention-to-treat analysis. This treatment reduced anxiety symptoms by 39.7% among patients who completed treatment (Per protocol, p=0.003) and by 30.8% among all those allocated to the intervention group (i.e., by Intention-to-treat, including dropouts, p=0.035), whereas controls showed no significant reduction in same period. Therefore, we recommend the use of this protocol within the university context as a viable alternative to individual counselling in situations of anxiety disorders. Future research with larger samples may contribute to consolidate this protocol.

Se estima que uno de cada cinco estudiantes universitarios en todo el mundo tiene algún tipo de trastorno psicológico, entre los cuales los trastornos de ansiedad son los más frecuentes. Este estudio consiste en un ensayo clínico aleatorizado cuyo objetivo fue evaluar la eficacia y efectividad de un protocolo de psicoterapia grupal semiestructurada basado en los principios de la Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso (ACT) para el tratamiento de la ansiedad en estudiantes universitarios. Se asignaron aleatoriamente a los participantes en los grupos de intervención y control. Los niveles de ansiedad antes y después de la intervención se midieron utilizando el instrumento General Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7). La muestra final del estudio estuvo compuesta por 15 personas, de las cuales 10 fueron asignadas al grupo de intervención y 5 al grupo de control. Los resultados se analizaron de dos maneras: 1) por protocolo (Per protocol analysis); y 2) por intención de tratar (Intention-to-treat Analysis). Con este tratamiento los síntomas de ansiedad se redujeron en un 39,7% entre los pacientes que completaron el tratamiento (por protocolo, p=0,030) y en un 30,8% entre todos los asignados al grupo de intervención (es decir, por intención de tratar, incluidos los dropouts, p=0,035), mientras que los controles no tuvieron una reducción significativa en el mismo periodo. Por lo tanto, se recomienda utilizar este protocolo dentro del contexto universitario como una alternativa viable a lo asesoramiento individual en situaciones de trastornos de ansiedad. La investigación futura con muestras más grandes puede contribuir a la consolidación de esta modalidad.

Implementação de um ambulatório psicossocial para pessoas expostas a situação de violência em um hospital universitário / Implementation of a psychosocial outpatient clinic for people exposed to violence in a university hospital / Implementación de una clínica psicosocial ambulatorial para personas expuestas a la violencia en un hospital universitario

RESUMO Discute-se o processo de implementação de um ambulatório que oferta psicoterapia de grupo com base psicanalítica às crianças, adolescentes e adultos expostos à violência, adscritos à região Norte de Campinas-SP. A implementação acontecerá no Hospital Universitário - Unicamp, em parceria com o Laboratório de Saúde Coletiva e Saúde Mental - Interfaces, a Assistência Social e de Saúde da Prefeitura Municipal de Campinas. Objetiva-se qualificar a assistência e articulação da rede de serviços públicos no território (Atenção Primária à Saúde e Assistência Social), ofertando-se apoio matricial e seguimento conjunto dos casos; e construir evidências sobre a efetividade da psicanálise de grupo na terapia de transtornos associados à exposição à violência. Utilizar a psicanálise justifica-se no contexto da abordagem e da prevenção à violência na medida em que espaços seguros de escuta possibilitam à pessoa em situação de exposição à violência um lugar de legitimação do sofrimento, elaboração e ressignificação da experiência traumática; do contrário há riscos de invalidar, negar, calar e perpetuar a violência naturalizando-a. A psicanálise tem contribuições significativas para compreensão das causas e consequências individuais e coletivas da violência, bem como para intervir e prevenir a transmissão transgeracional por meio de dispositivos terapêuticos que consideram os níveis coletivo, intersubjetivo e intrapsíquico.

ABSTRACT The process of implementation of an outpatient clinic offering psychoanalytic group psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults exposed to violence, assigned to the northern region of Campinas-SP, is discussed. The implementation will take place at the University Hospital - Unicamp, in partnership with the Collective Health and Mental Health Laboratory - Interfaces, the Social and Health Care of the Campinas City Hall. The objective is to qualify the assistance and articulation of the public services network in the territory (Primary Health Care and Social Assistance), offering matrix support and joint follow-up of cases; and to build evidence on the effectiveness of group psychoanalysis in the therapy of disorders associated with exposure to violence. Using psychoanalysis is justified in the context of the approach and prevention of violence as safe listening spaces allow the person in a situation of exposure to violence a place of legitimation of suffering, elaboration and resignification of traumatic experience; otherwise there are risks of invalidating, denying, silencing and perpetuating violence by naturalizing it. Psychoanalysis has significant contributions to understand the individual and collective causes and consequences of violence, as well as to intervene and prevent transgenerational transmission through therapeutic devices that consider the collective, intersubjective and intrapsychic levels.

RESUMEN Se discute el proceso de implementación de una clínica ambulatoria que ofrece psicoterapia grupal psicoanalítica a niños, adolescentes y adultos expuestos a la violencia, asignados a la región norte de Campinas-SP. La implementación tendrá lugar en el Hospital Universitario - Unicamp, en colaboración con el Laboratorio de Salud Colectiva y Salud Mental - Interfaces, la Atención Social y de Salud del Ayuntamiento de Campinas. El objetivo es calificar la asistencia y articulación de la red de servicios públicos en el territorio (Atención Primaria de Salud y Asistencia Social), ofreciendo apoyo matricial y seguimiento conjunto de casos; y para construir evidencia sobre la efectividad del psicoanálisis grupal en la terapia de trastornos asociados con la exposición a la violencia. El uso del psicoanálisis se justifica en el contexto del enfoque y la prevención de la violencia, ya que los espacios seguros de escucha permiten a la persona en una situación de exposición a la violencia un lugar de legitimación del sufrimiento, elaboración y resignificación de la experiencia traumática; de lo contrario, existe el riesgo de invalidar, negar, silenciar y perpetuar la violencia al naturalizarla. El psicoanálisis tiene contribuciones significativas para comprender las causas y consecuencias individuales y colectivas de la violencia, así como para intervenir y prevenir la transmisión transgeneracional a través de dispositivos terapéuticos que consideran los niveles colectivos, intersubjetivos e intrapsíquicos.

Características deseables de un programa educativo para mujeres con exceso de peso del cantón Central de Alajuela, Costa Rica, según las participantes y profesionales en salud / Desirable characteristics of an educational program for excess weight women of the Central County of Alajuela, Costa Rica, according to women and health professionals

Resumen: Introducción: En Costa Rica, según la segunda encuesta de vigilancia de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular del 2014, el exceso de peso en mujeres alcanza un 70.6 %. Esto trae múltiples consecuencias para su salud física y emocional. Se ha tratado de abordar este problema, a partir del criterio de profesionales en salud sin consultar a las personas afectadas acerca de sus preferencias. Objetivos: Identificar las características deseables que debe incluir un programa educativo dirigido a mujeres con exceso de peso en el Cantón Central de la provincia de Alajuela, Costa Rica, desde el punto de vista de las participantes y del personal de salud. Metodología: Se utilizaron tanto técnicas cualitativas (2 grupos de discusión, 5 grupos focales, 7 entrevistas a profundidad y 2 sesiones de devolución de resultados con 28 mujeres), como cuantitativas (una encuesta a 16 profesionales en salud de diferentes disciplinas). Resultados: Tanto para la mayoría de las mujeres participantes como para todo el personal de salud, el programa debe contar con tres componentes: el nutricional, el psicológico y el de actividad física. Ambos grupos coinciden en que idealmente debería ser un programa grupal con un componente individual. Las mujeres indican que el programa debería motivarlas, ejercer control y ofrecerles una "dieta". Conclusiones: Un programa dirigido a mujeres con exceso de peso, debe ser preferiblemente grupal, tratar la parte nutricional, promover la actividad física y priorizar el abordaje de los factores emocionales. Se recomienda trabajar en forma interdisciplinaria; siendo básico contar con una persona profesional en nutrición.

Abstract: Introduction: In Costa Rica, according to the second 2014 cardiovascular risk factor surveillance survey, excess body weight reaches 70.6% in women. Excess body weight has multiple consequences for women´s physical and emotional health. That problem has been addressed taking into consideration the criteria of health professionals, without consulting the women with excess body weight. Objectives: To identify the desirable characteristics of an educational program for excess weight women of the province of Alajuela, Costa Rica, taking into consideration both health personnel and excess weight women´s opinions. Methodology: We conducted two discussion groups, 5 focus groups, 7 in-depth Interviews, and 2 member-checking sessions with 28 women, and a survey with 16 health personnel from different disciplines. Results: For most of the women and all the health personnel, the program must have three components: nutrition, psychology, and physical activity. For both, it should be a group program with some individual sessions. For women, the program should motivate them, "exercise control" over them, and offer a structured diet plan which they can follow. Conclusions: A weight loss program for excess weight women should be a group therapy. It should have three components: nutritional education, promoting physical activity and addressing emotional factors. It is recommended to work in an interdisciplinary team that should have a Nutritionist.

Disregulación emocional y síntomas alimentarios: Análisis de sesiones de terapia grupal en pacientes con trastorno alimentario / Emotion dysregulation and eating symptoms: Analysis of group sessions in patients with eating disorder

El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar y analizar la relación entre emociones, sentimientos y estados de ánimo con el comportamiento, principalmente el alimentario, en pacientes con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA). Participaron 43 mujeres, de entre 14 y 45 años de edad (M= 19.8, DE= 6.8), 19 con el diagnóstico de anorexia nerviosa, 22 con bulimia nerviosa, y dos con trastorno por atracón). Todas asistían a un programa ambulatorio intensivo. Con base en una metodología cualitativa, se analizaron los contenidos de una sesión de terapia grupal conductual dialéctica. Frente a emociones negativas, se observó que estas pacientes —independientemente del tipo de TCA— usan preferentemente estrategias de supresión más que de reinterpretación. Específicamente, las pacientes con anorexia nerviosa suelen afrontar las emociones negativas con base en la expresión de síntomas restrictivos; mientras que aquellas con síntomas bulímicos, lo realizan a través de atracones y/o purgas. Fue notoria la dificultad de todas las pacientes para nombrar y discriminar sus emociones, o asociarlas con sus comportamientos maladaptativos. El tratamiento de los TCA requiere del uso de técnicas terapéuticas enfocadas a fortalecer en estas pacientes la tolerancia al malestar inducido por emociones negativas, pero que además promuevan la reinterpretación de estas.

The aim of this article was to explore and analyze the relationship between emotions, feelings and moods, with eating behavior and other behaviors in patients with eating disorders (ED). A total of 43 women aged among 14 to 45 years (M= 19.8, SD= 6.8), 19 were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, 22 with bulimia nervosa and two with binge eating disorder. All participants attended to an ambulatory intensive program. Based on a qualitative methodology, it was analyzed the content of a dialectical behavior therapy group session. Before negative emotions it was observed that patients —regardless of the ED diagnostic— preferentially use suppression strategies rather than re-appraisal. Specifically, patients with anorexia nervosa tend to face negative emotions based on the expression of restrictive symptoms while bulimic ones tend to binge and/or purge. It was notorious the difficulty of all patients to name and discriminate emotions or associate them with maladaptive behaviors. ED treatment requires therapeutic techniques aimed to strength tolerance when discomfort is induced by negative emotions, but also promoting re-appraisal of these emotions.

Percepción y significación de la actitud gestáltica en adolescentes del hogar “Casa Esperanza”

El presente es un estudio de caso con enfoque cualitativo descriptivo fenomenológico analítico, en el cual se interviene mediante técnicas y conceptos de la psicoterapia gestáltica, en un grupo de adolescentes de 12 y 13 años que se encuentran en situación de acogimiento, bajo resolución judicial en el Hogar Casa Esperanza dependiente de la Fundación Arco Iris. En este grupo de adolescentes se identificó indicadores de pasividad, conformismo, internalización del asistencialismo e inmovilidad emocional, estos indicadores se asocian con una historia personal y familiar de constante “sobrevivencia” asociada a maltrato, negligencia u orfandad y la creencia de que su dolor debe ser constantemente compensado; por tanto existe una falta de sintonía de los adolescentes entorno a la conciencia de ellos mismos y ausencia de contacto con sus procesos internos, emociones, sensaciones, percepciones y corporalidad, existe la apropiación de introyectos como el de “se debe ser fuerte”, “el adolescente de hogar es el pobrecito”, “así son las cosas”. En el presente trabajo se utilizó específicamente la herramienta de “grupo de encuentro Gestalt” (abordaje grupal de trabajo personal y autoconocimiento), para dar respuesta a esta problemática. El análisis integral del proceso favorece la conclusión de que un abordaje con enfoque gestáltico en la praxis psicológica, es un recurso potencialmente válido para que los psicólogos realicen intervenciones que generen cambio e impacto en la población con la que trabajan; esto se sustenta en la evolución positiva del grupo con el que se trabajó, que efectivamente, encontró alternativas para afrontar y responder ante su condición de institucionalización y superar, además, los indicadores descritos (pasividad, conformismo y asistencialismo) a través del crecimiento, valoración, desarrollo personal y la internalización del estado de conciencia de sus percepciones, sentimientos, sensaciones, aprendizaje y corporalidad.

This is a case study with a qualitative descriptive phenomenological analytical approach, in which Gestalt psychotherapy techniques and concepts are intervened in a group of 12 and 13-year-old adolescents who are in foster care, under judicial resolution in the Hogar Casa Esperanza dependent on the Fundación Arco Iris. In this group of adolescents, indicators of passivity, conformism, internalization of assistance and emotional immobility were identified. These indicators are associated with a personal and family history of constant “survival” associated with abuse, neglect or orphanhood and the belief that their pain must be constantly compensated; therefore there is a lack of harmony among adolescents around their awareness of themselves and lack of contact with their internal processes, emotions, sensations, perceptions and corporeality, there is the appropriation of introjects such as "you must be strong", " the adolescent at home is the poor thing ”,“ that's the way things are ”. In the present work, the “Gestalt meeting group” tool (group approach to personal work and self-knowledge) was specifically used to respond to this problem The comprehensive analysis of the process favors the conclusion that an approach with a Gestalt approach in psychological praxis is a potentially valid resource for psychologists to carry out interventions that generate change and impact on the population with which they work; This is based on the positive evolution of the group with which we worked, which effectively found alternatives to face and respond to their institutionalization condition and also overcome the indicators described (passivity, conformity and welfare) through growth, valuation , personal development and the internalization of the state of consciousness of their perceptions, feelings, sensations, learning and corporality.

Trata-se de um estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa descritiva fenomenológica analítica, em que técnicas e conceitos da psicoterapia Gestalt são intervencionados em um grupo de adolescentes de 12 e 13 anos que se encontram em um lar substituto, sob resolução judicial em o Hogar Casa Esperanza dependente da Fundación Arco Iris. Neste grupo de adolescentes foram identificados indicadores de passividade, conformismo, internalização da assistência e imobilidade emocional, associados a uma história pessoal e familiar de constante “sobrevivência” associada a maus tratos, abandono ou orfandade e à crença de que a sua dor deve ser constantemente compensado; portanto há um descompasso entre os adolescentes em torno da consciência de si mesmos e falta de contato com seus processos internos, emoções, sensações, percepções e corporeidade, há a apropriação de introjetos do tipo "você tem que ser forte", " o adolescente em casa é o coitadinho ”,“ é assim mesmo ”. No presente trabalho, a ferramenta “Gestalt meeting group” (abordagem de grupo para o trabalho pessoal e autoconhecimento) foi usada especificamente para responder a este problema A análise abrangente do processo favorece a conclusão de que uma abordagem com abordagem Gestalt na práxis psicológica é um recurso potencialmente válido para o psicólogo realizar intervenções que gerem mudança e impacto na população com a qual trabalham; Baseia-se na evolução positiva do grupo com o qual trabalhamos, que efetivamente encontrou alternativas para enfrentar e responder à sua condição de institucionalização e também superar os indicadores descritos (passividade, conformidade e bem-estar) por meio do crescimento, da valorização , o desenvolvimento pessoal e a internalização do estado de consciência de suas percepções, sentimentos, sensações, aprendizados e corporalidade.

Examen de post-efecto para experiencias anómalo/ paranormales con un abordaje humanista / Eview of post-effect for anomalous/paranormal experiences a humanist approach

Se presentan los resultados de una investigación que tuvo como objetivos: explorar la utilidad de la terapia grupal para hacer frente a los efectos de las experiencias paranormales y explorar cómo la terapia humanista produce cambios positivos hacia las experiencias anómalo/paranormales. Se les pidió a la muestra (N= 20, rango 22-71 años, M= 45,65, DT= 12,52), 65 % mujeres y 35 % varones, responder un cuestionario autoadministrado de siete preguntas antes y al finalizar su participación en un grupo. La actividad incluyó tres fases: (1) Exposición, (2) Interpretación y (3) Cierre del grupo. Los participantes indicaron que el grupo ayudó a disminuir su malestar emocional (p = ,001), y lograr una comprensión a sus experiencias (p = ,008).

This article shows the results of an investigation aimed to: explore the usefulness of group therapy to deal with the effects of paranormal experiences and explore how humanistic therapy produces positive changes to the anomalous/paranormal experiences. They were asked to sample (N = 20, range 22-71 years, M = 45.65, SD = 12.52), 65 % female and 35 % male, a self-administered questionnaire to answer seven questions before and after your participation in a group. The activity included three phases: (1) Exposure (2) Interpretation y (3) Close the group. Participants indicated that the group helped reduce their emotional distress (p = .001), and gain an understanding of their experiences (p = .008).

Evaluación de una intervención conductual intensa y breve para el manejo de estados emocionales: un estudio piloto / Evaluation of an intense and brief behavioral intervention for the management of emotional states: a pilot study

In the last years, the evaluation of the effectiveness of the interventions in Clinical Psychology has charged great relevance. At the present time it is has denominated therapies supported in the evidence or therapies with empiric support, who are those that show a series of minimum approaches that assure their effectiveness. In this sense, the conductual therapies are those that have more support. Among the populations with more risk to present emotional dysfunctions are the secondary professors. In the line of prevention it is has designed a group intervention in intensive and brief format of five sessions of four hours of duration. The used techniques were: Psicoeducation, Relaxation, Cognitive Restructuration, Problem Resolution, Planning of Activities and Conductual Essay. This intervention was applied in group format to ten professors without psychological dysfunction, with a 30 year-old average. The results indicated a significant statistically change in the depression variables (t=3,527; p <0.01), anxiety-state (t=4,256; p <0.001) and assertivity (t=2,280; p <0.05), they were not changes in anxiety feature and optimism.

En los últimos años la evaluación de la efectividad de las intervenciones en Psicología Clínica ha cobrado gran relevancia. En la actualidad se cuenta con terapias denominadas “Apoyadas en la Evidencia” o “Terapias con Apoyo Empírico”, las cuales cumplen con una serie de criterios mínimos que aseguran su efectividad, dentro de éstas, las terapias conductuales son las que cuentan con mayor apoyo. Entre las poblaciones con mayor riesgo de presentar trastornos emocionales, se encuentran los profesores de secundaria, por lo tanto, se hace necesario aplicar estrategias efectivas para contrarrestar las variables que amenazan su salud. En la línea de prevención y promoción de salud, se diseñó una intervención grupal en formato intensivo y breve de cinco sesiones de cuatro horas de duración con las técnicas conductuales de Psicoeducación, Relajación Muscular Progresiva, Reestructuración Cognitiva, Resolución de Problemas, Planificación de actividades y Ensayo Conductual. Fue aplicada a un grupo de 10 profesores sin trastorno psicológico con una edad promedio de 30 años para el manejo de estados emocionales. Los resultados indicaron un cambio estadísticamente significativo en las variables de depresión (t=3,527; p<0.01), ansiedad-estado (t=4,256; p<0.001) y asertividad (t=2,280; p<0.05), no se encontraron cambios en ansiedad rasgo y optimismo.

Apego al tratamiento psicoterapéutico grupal en pacientes con Trastorno Límite de la Personalidad. Estudio piloto en pacientes de 18 a 24 años

resumen está disponible en el texto completo

Abstract: The treatment of election for patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), consists on the combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Concerning a psychoanalitic and individual focuse, there has been found, that in spite of the differences in orientations and the therapists experience, the manifestations of the disorder tend to decrease. First of all, a decrease in the impulsivity and an increase in the affective stability is seen, whether the identity alterations modify poorly with treatments of a duration of up to two years. Traditionally, patients with BPD have not been considered apt for group therapy, because their disruptive behavior interferes with the development of the groupal cohesion; however, this characteristics are the ones that can be rapidly treated in the group, when putting a slight pressure on the patient so he can modify this maladaptive behavior. The objectives of group therapy, are consistent with the ones in individual therapy. They include stability for patients, management of impulsivity and other symptoms, and management of the reactions in the transference and countertransference. The presence of other patients helps to establish limits between the participants and it also generates an altruistic interaction, in which they can consolídate their changes in the process of helping others. Group therapists suggest that individual therapy can be accelerated if the patient participates in the group in which the primitive fantasies are stimulated and where the group structure provides a support that helps personal growth. One of the most difficult tasks in any therapy is the desertion of the patients. Specially, the group is vulnerable to desertion, in its initial stage, since it has been recorded that there is a 13 to 63% of desertions. The purpose of the present study was to determine the psychological and psychopathological variables in patients with BPD, that influence the compliance in a group therapy. All the candidates in this investigation were patients with a probable diagnose of BPD, that had been sent to the Psychotherapy Department of National Institute of Psychiatry, aged between 18 to 24 years. This diagnose was corroborated with the SCID II. A descriptive study was made with the characteristics of the patients in some different areas: character and temperament, self esteem, quality of life, psychosocial functioning, interpersonal problems, ego strength, and psychiatric symptoms. A total of 24 weekly sessions with a duration of an hour and a half, were conducted under the direction of two psychotherapists and a non active observer. A Spearman correlation was used to correlate the psychological variables with the number of assisted sessions. We included 16 female patients, with an age mean of 20.43 years; the mean of assistance to the group was of 4.5 sessions. None of the subjects assisted to all the 24 sessions and 56% of the patients deserted the group as well as the pharmacological treatment. The findings of the correlations between the number of assisted sessions and the psychological variables, suggested first of all, a positive relation between the persistence scale of the ITC and a negative association with the subscales 1 (preoccupation vs optimism) and 4 (fatigability vs energy). Other findings suggested negative correlations between the psychosis scale of the SCL 90 and the evitative scale. The rest of the scales did not have a significative correlation with the number of assisted sessions. The items mentioned during the sessions by the patients consisted in the extreme dependency to the external criticism, that came from significative figures. The patients also talked about some of the common symptoms of BPD, like frustration, intolerance, suicide, lack of affective stability, self mutilations, rage, ambivalence, poor self concept, feelings of inferiority, and low self esteem. The percentage of desertion in this study was a lot higher than expected, assuming that in a regular group basis, there is 30% to 40% of desertion. It also came to our attention, that groupal phenomena, were not observed. Specially identifications and groupal cohesion, were not developed in this case. The patients collaborated exclusively with the therapists; they did not give any devolutions to other patients. They all waited for their turn, changing the theme, in a way that satisfied their own conflicts. The universality of the experience phenomenon was no seen, since the patients, did not feel that the others had the same problems, conflicts emotions or ideas, feeling supported or relieved by it. In conclusion, the patients with BPD, in our institution have a bad compliance in a group therapy, in which only personality disorders are admitted. These patients did not blend within the environment, because the groupal phenomena that produce the changes were not seen at all. This is probably associated with the intrinsic characteristics of the disorder, and this is why the probable changes in the patients should be evaluated and this technique questioned, as a reliable treatment method for personality disorders. A comparison of this technique with others, such as individual therapy and the combination of both, should be also considered. The Psychobiologic model of Cloninger, used in other investigations to predict the efficacy of pharmacotherapy, can be used to make a prediction of the compliance of BPD with groupal therapy. This data should be considered in the previous evaluation of the patients, with the goal of establishing different strategies, and an adequate treatment, for subjects with these characteristics.