Preliminary validation of the Test of Object Relations in a sample of Croatian students

The article describes preliminary validation of the Croatian version of the Test of Object Relations (TOR). The test was developed by G. Žvelc as a self-rating instrument for measuring the quality of object relations. The test measures three dimensions (Dependence, Alienation and Self-Absorption) and six sub-dimensions of object relations (Symbiotic Merging, Separation Anxiety, Narcissism, Egocentricity, Fear of Engulfment and Social Isolation). This test and Experiences in Close Relationship Scale were administered to a sample of 254 Croatian students from different faculties, of which 125 were males. Internal scale consistency is comparable to the results obtained from the Slovene sample. Principal components analysis supported the three main dimensions of object relations and five sub-dimensions. The results did not confirm Symbiotic Merging as a separate sub-dimension. Results of the principal components analysis suggest that the questionnaire in its present form includes items with low factor loadings and loadings on more than one dimension. The above findings suggest that the questionnaire can be shortened. This test correlates in a predictable way with attachment dimensions in adulthood. The main limitation of the preliminary study is a relatively small sample size. Further research on different samples is proposed, especially on a sample of psychiatric patients

The Embodiment of Power and Visual Dominance Behaviour

The objective of this study was to identify whether the changes in assuming power poses during a conversation between a pair of individuals, who were previously familiar with each other, influence the hierarchy of power, changes in it, as well as maintenance and adoption of different roles in the hierarchy. We assumed changes in roles of power on the basis of changes in visual dominance behaviour, which proved to be a reliable indicator of the social power of the individual in previous researches. Each pair conversed on predefined topics three times for three minutes. By placing individuals in a neutral or expansive posture, the purpose of which was covered by the use of a cover story, we created a difference in nonverbal expression of power between the two individuals. In the first conversation, both individuals adopted a neutral pose. In the second conversation, one individual adopted an expansive posture, while the other remained in a neutral one, and vice versa in the third conversation. Interactions were filmed with two cameras, which enabled us to analyse nonverbal behaviour. The results show that the differences in displays of power with expansive body postures between individuals are not associated with changes in visual dominance behaviour of individuals. From this we conclude that in the relations in which the social hierarchy of power is already established, the use of power poses does not help increase the power of the individual who adopts the posture

ISKUSTVO SUPERVIZANATA O NEOTKRIVANJU PODATAKA U SUPERVIZIJI PSIHOTERAPIJE

The present study examined the processes of supervisees’ non-disclosure in the supervision of psychotherapy. The purpose of the study was to determine the frequency of non-disclosure by supervisees, the content of non-disclosure and the reasons for it. The study involved 50 supervisees (42 women and 8 men), with different professional developmental levels and belonging to various psychotherapeutic schools. Study participants completed the Questionnaire of Significant Aspects of Supervision after each of two consecutive supervision sessions. Half of the sessions were conducted in individual and half of the sessions in group settings. Altogether, 90 completed questionnaires were used in the study. Interviews were performed with ten of the supervisees. Data was coded according to principles of grounded theory (Corbin and Strauss, 2015). Our findings revealed that non-disclosure was present in 21% of the sessions. Supervisees conceal dissatisfaction with supervisors and their work, content related to the supervision group, information related to psychotherapeutic work, personal topics and topics related to wider professional activity. The reasons for non-disclosure were: not feeling safe enough in the supervisory relationship or the supervision group, concern for the supervisor, shame and self-criticism. These findings are significant both for the practice and for further research of supervision.U prikazanom istraživanju analizirali su se procesi neotkrivanja podataka od strane supervizanata u superviziji psihoterapije. Cilj istraživanja bio je odrediti učestalost neotkrivanja podataka od strane supervizanata, sadržaj neotkrivenih podataka i razloge za neotkrivanje. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 50 supervizanata (42 žene i 8 muškaraca) različitih razina profesionalnog razvoja koji pripadaju različitim školama psihoterapije. Sudionici istraživanja ispunili su Upitnik o značajnim aspektima supervizije nakon svaka od dva uzastopna supervizijska susreta. Pola susreta održavalo se kao individualni a pola kao grupni suprevizijski susreti. U istraživanju je ukupno korišteno 90 ispunjenih upitnika. Nakon toga, proveedeni su intervjui s deset supervizanata. Podaci su kodirani u skladu s načelima utemeljene teorije (Corbin i Strauss, 2015). Naši su rezultati pokazali da je neotkrivanje bilo prisutno u 21% supervizijskih susreta. Supervizanti prikrivaju nezadovoljstvo sa supervizorima i njihovim radom, sadržaj povezan sa supervizijskom grupom, informacije povezane s psihoterapijskim radom, osobne teme i teme povezane sa širom profesionalnom aktivnošću. Razlozi za neotkrivanje podataka bili su: nedovoljan osjećaj sigurnosti u supervizijskom odnosu ili supervizijskoj grupi, briga za supervizora, stid i samokritika. Ovi su rezultati značajni i za praksu i za buduće istraživanje supervizije

The picture test of separation and individuation - preliminary research

Authors introduce a new instrument, which they developed for measuring separation and individuation process and attachment in adolescence and adulthood. The Picture Test of Separation and Individuation (PTSI) is a semi–projective test. It consists of various pictures, which represent relationships with significant others. PTSI is divided into three subtests: Relationship with Mother, Relationship with Father and Attachment. In a preliminary research on a sample of college and university students authors studied basic properties of the test. The results of the research indicate that PTSI is consistent with theoretical background, has good sensitivity and is economical. The Picture Test of Separation and Individuation enables quick but complex insight into individual's relationships with significant others as well as into his/her stage of separation and individuation process. Considering satisfying results of pilot study, authors suggest further research for validation of the test

Adult attachment styles

Theory of attachment primarily described early relationships between a child and his caretakers. In the last twenty years there is a growing interest in adult attachment research. Theories and research findings of adult attachment stem from two different methodological approaches. The first approach measures adult attachment through Adult Attachment Interview (AAI; Main, 1991) where the attachment is assessed through the narratives of adult people of their early child experiences with their primary caretakers. The second approach measures adult attachment with the help of self-evaluative questionnaires, developed by (a) Hazan and Shaver (1987) who started this approach in the field of personality and social psychology, and (b) Bartholomew and Horowitz (1991). Research shows that there is significant correlation between early and adult attachment style. Attachment styles are passed from generation to generation. Basic adult attachment styles are: securely attached, preoccupied, fearful-avoidant, dismissing-avoidant and disorganized. Previous research using Barholomew and Horowitz (1991) Relationship Questionnaire on 176 Slovenian students showed that 48% students are securely attached, 29% are fearful-avoidant, 10% are dismissing-avoidant, and 13% have preoccupied attachment style. Theory of attachment is very useful for understanding the behavior and subjective experiences of children and adults. It is applicable to different contexts (psychotherapy, counseling, education ...). The paper proposes further research focused on integration of adult attachment styles and types of object relations measured by Test of object relations (Žvelc, 1998) and Pictorial test of Separation and Individuation (Žvelc, 2003)

OBJECT AND SUBJECT RELATIONS IN ADULTHOOD – TOWARDS AN INTEGRATIVE MODEL OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

In the article the author presents a model of interpersonal relationships based on integration of object relations theory and theory of attachment. He proposes three main bipolar dimensions of interpersonal relationships: Independence – Dependence, Connectedness – Alienation and Reciprocity – Self-absorption. The author also proposes that it is important to distinguish between two main types of adult interpersonal relationships: object and subject relations. Object relations describe relationships in which the other person is perceived as an object that serves the satisfaction of the first person\u27s needs. Object relations are a manifestation of the right pole of the three main dimensions of interpersonal relationships (Dependence, Alienation and Self-absorption). Subject relations are a counter-pole to the concept of object relations. They describe relationships with other people who are experienced as subjects with their own wishes, interests and needs. Subject relations are a manifestation of the left pole of the main dimensions (Independence, Connectedness and Reciprocity). In this article the author specifically focuses on definitions of object relations in adulthood through a description of six sub-dimensions of object relations: Symbiotic Merging, Separation Anxiety, Social Isolation, Fear of Engulfment, Egocentrism and Narcissism. Every sub-dimension is described in connection to adaptive and pathological functioning. Further research is needed to test the clinical and scientific validity of the model

Addiction as an attempt at self-regulation (contemporary psychoanalytic theories of addiction)

In the article author presents the development of psychoanalytic theory of addiction from early writings to contemporary ego, self psychological and theories of object relations. Classical psychoanalysis understood addiction as a regressive gratification of libidinal drives, whereas contemporary authors understand it as an attempt of adaptation to certain problems and worries. The neurotic conflict is not anymore in the foreground, but disturbances in ego, self and object relations. On the basis of a review of contemporary psychoanalytical theories, the author concludes that individuals prone to addiction have a disturbance in self-regulation. Because of that, they have problems in tolerating and coping with certain emotions. With the help of outer means they tend to re-establish internal balance, which they can't manage alone. This outer 'help' can be seen in various forms of addiction (drugs, food, relationships, sex ...). So, the core problem of addicted people is a deficit of self-regulation, which is a consequence of a lack of internalisaton of regulatory functions of primary object. Contemporary psychoanalytical theories of addiction bring us greater insight in personality factors which influence the formation of addiction, thus giving us guidelines for adequate psychotherapy of addiction

CASE STUDIES IN INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY PART 2 (EDITORIAL)

Announcement of the special issue of the International Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy, which is dedicated to the exploration and discussion of an integrative psychotherapy case study

CASE STUDIES IN INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHALLENGE AND GROWTH (EDITORIAL)

Announcement of the special issue of the International Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy, which is dedicated to the exploration and discussion of an integrative psychotherapy case study