Associations between countertransference reactions towards patients with borderline personality disorder and therapist experience levels and mentalization ability
Trends psychiatry psychother. (Impr.)
; 43(2): 116-125, Apr.-June 2021. tab
Article
in En
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LILACS-Express
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1290333
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
Abstract Objective This exploratory study locates countertransference as a pan-theoretical concept, comprising of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors expressed or experienced by therapists toward their patients. It aims to understand the patterns of countertransference experienced in working with borderline personality disorder. Associations between countertransference reactions and therapist-related variables of experience and mentalization ability are also examined. Method Psychotherapists (n = 117) completed the Therapist Response Questionnaire to assess patterns of countertransference experienced with a representative patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. They also completed a measure of mentalization ability that examined self-related mentalization, other-related mentalization, and motivation to mentalize. Results The profile of responses across eight countertransference dimensions is discussed, with the most strongly endorsed reactions being positive/satisfying, parental/protective, and helpless/inadequate. More experienced therapists reported less negative countertransference reactions in select dimensions. Therapists' self-reported ability to reflect on and understand their own mental states was negatively correlated with a range of difficult countertransference experiences. There were few associations between their ability to make sense of others' mental states, the motivation to mentalize, and the strength of their countertransference reactions. Conclusion The implications for countertransference management as well as therapist training and development are highlighted.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
LILACS
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
Trends psychiatry psychother. (Impr.)
Journal subject:
PSIQUIATRIA
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
India
Country of publication:
Brazil