[Utilization of self-help groups and psychotherapy after psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic in-patient treatment]. / Inanspruchnahme von Selbsthilfegruppen und Psychotherapie im Anschluss an eine stationäre psychosomatisch-psychotherapeutische Behandlung.

Until now little is known about the role of participation in self-help groups alone or combined with psychotherapy in post-in-patient care. In the present study 2933 patients were questioned about their experience of self-help groups and psychotherapy after discharge from a clinic for psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy. Nearly 8 % of them utilized self-help groups (mostly combined with out-patient psychotherapy), and altogether 68 % out-patient psychotherapy following in-patient treatment. Patients without out-patient treatment were psychologically less burdened and had better resources than participants of self-help groups or psychotherapy. Self-help group members differed from patients in out-patient psychotherapy by expressing a more positive opinion of groupwork and higher openness to new experiences. Additionly, they had discussed the topic of self-help groups more frequently with their therapists. This may be a starting-point for promoting more self-help activities of patients in the future.

A German version of the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP-200) for the dimensional assessment of personality disorders.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: The traditional diagnosis of personality disorders has been criticized for lack of empirical support, reliance on categorical classifications and low validity. OBJECTIVE: A German version of the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP-200) is presented. This Q-Sort procedure is well-established in the USA and facilitates the dimensional diagnosis of personality pathology in accordance with DSM-IV. In addition, a taxonomy of personality has been derived using factor analyses. METHODS: The SWAP-200 was applied to 18 patients on the basis of semi-structured interviews. Interviewer ratings were correlated with the SWAP-200 completed by an independent observer and the patients' therapists. RESULTS: Good inter-rater reliability (between r=.69 and r=.76) was found. While average convergent validity coefficients between interviewer, observer and therapist were satisfactory (between r=.54 and r=.68), outliers were observed. RESULTS suggest that the factor analytically derived taxonomy may be more valid.

[Utilization and significance of self-help groups in treatment careers of psychosomatic inpatients]. / Inanspruchnahme von Selbsthilfegruppen durch Patienten einer psychosomatischen Klinik.

OBJECTIVES: Patients' self-help group participation has been neglected in psychotherapy research. This study determines previous self-help group experience, therapist recommendations and plans for future participation. METHODS: 1,604 patients were surveyed by questionnaire at intake and discharge from psychosomatic treatment regarding previous self-help experiences, therapist recommendation and plans for future self-help participation. RESULTS: Patients with self-help experience (12 %) were slightly older and more educated. They reported a longer duration of disease, more previous psychotherapy, more interpersonal problems and less social support compared to non-participants. At discharge, a total of 23 % intended to participate in a self-help group. Therapist recommendations (in 19 %) influenced patients' choices. CONCLUSIONS: The significance of self-help group participation in inpatient care, its significance in treatment careers and implications for consulting patients are discussed.