Anaclitic and introjective vulnerability factors in depression: Idiographic assessment with the Self-Confrontation Method

R. Van Geel, T. Houtmans, P. Verboon

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperProfessional

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND. In depression theories two constructs have emerged as vulnerability factors: (a) The anaclitic factor reflects the excessive reliance on, or investment in, significant others, and intense needs for acceptance and love from others, and (b) the introjective risk-factor subsumes the excessive investment in personal achievement, excessive demands for accomplishment and control, and relentless self-criticism when stringent self-standards are not met. We investigated whether these vulnerabilities can be traced in a person’s self-narative as elicited and recorded by the Self-Confrontation Method (SCM), a kind of counseling in which “themes of a person’s self-narrative” are identified and discussed in a profound dialogue. The purpose is to stimulate self-examination with respect to two “latent” basic motives: (a) the striving for self-enhancement (the Self motive), and (b) the striving for contact and union (the Other motive). In order to provide a concise “picture” of the affective side of a client’s self-narrative, “six” prototypes of valuations are distinguished. These prototypes are associated with themes on a latent level, and are derived from the affective components of a valuation. METHOD. Participants (N = 100) performed a complete SCM self-investigation with one of five SCM trainees. The aggregation of the information from SCM-grids consisted of two steps. First, every valuation was classified according to the typology. Subsequently, the percentages of the six prototypes of valuations were aggregated for every person. Participants also filled out the Personal Style Inventory (PSI), which assesses two depressogenic vulnerability factors. RESULTS. MRA showed that the anaclitic PSI factor was predicted by the percentage of types about “unfulfilled longing and loss” and “powerlessness and isolation”. The introjective factor was explained by a combination of “aggression and anger” and “powerlessness and isolation”. CONCLUSION. The theme of “powerlessness and isolation” in the self-narrative is a prominent characteristic of both anaclitic and introjective depressive personality. However, the distinct feature of anaclitic personality appears to be “unfulfilled longing and loss,” whereas the presence of “aggression and anger” in the self-narrative seems specific of introjective personality. These results are partially consistent with valuation theory. Further research should also focus on the content of valuations.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication statusPublished - 2011
    Event5th International Conference on the (Non)Expression of Emotions in Health and Disease - Tilburg, Netherlands
    Duration: 23 Oct 201125 Oct 2011

    Conference

    Conference5th International Conference on the (Non)Expression of Emotions in Health and Disease
    Abbreviated titleEmotions 2011
    Country/TerritoryNetherlands
    CityTilburg
    Period23/10/1125/10/11

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