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Everyday Life Behaviors, Medical Disorders, and Psychopathology through the Lens of the Psychodynamic Approach

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 8597

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yura Loscalzo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
Interests: clinical psychology; psychopathology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marco Giannini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50135 Firenze, FI, Italy
Interests: psychotherapy research; projective techniques; psychological testing; defense mechanisms; studyholism; workaholism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of psychotherapy is characterized by various approaches, including cognitive therapy and gestalt therapy, among others. This Special Issue focuses on the psychodynamic approach. Psychodynamic therapy refers to a range of treatments based on psychoanalytic concepts and methods. It draws basically from Object Relations, Ego Psychology, and Self Psychology and it was developed as a simpler, less-lengthy alternative to psychoanalysis. 

Hence, this Special Issue prompts research that analyzes clinical disorders (both psychological and medical diagnoses) and everyday life behaviors (e.g., romantic or work/school relationships, attitudes towards work/study) by exploring the role of psychodynamic variables such as attachment styles, early parent–child relationships, and defense mechanisms.

Moreover, it welcomes theoretical papers that analyze everyday behaviors and clinical disorders through the application of psychodynamic theories like the Structural Approach,

Object Relations Theory, the Interpersonal-Relational Approach, Attachment Theory, and Mentalization.

Finally, this Special Issue also accepts reviews of the literature concerning variables critical for the psychodynamic perspective (e.g., insight, attachment, transfer, alliance) and case studies that apply psychodynamic treatments.

Dr. Yura Loscalzo
Dr. Marco Giannini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • attachment
  • defense mechanisms
  • unconscious
  • object relations
  • projective techniques
  • perinatal
  • insight
  • transfer
  • alliance
  • treatment

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 336 KiB  
Article
A Psychoanalytic Approach to Internet Gaming Disorder
by Georgios Floros and Ioanna Mylona
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(15), 6542; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20156542 - 07 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1691
Abstract
Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is now an official diagnosis and significant public health challenges have been already identified regarding the provision of appropriate care to patients of all ages and the preparedness of mental health professionals to manage the disorder. Despite the [...] Read more.
Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is now an official diagnosis and significant public health challenges have been already identified regarding the provision of appropriate care to patients of all ages and the preparedness of mental health professionals to manage the disorder. Despite the existence of psychotherapeutic treatment modalities available for some time now, there is a paucity of any psychoanalytically driven treatments and the disorder is widely regarded and classified as being ‘behavioral’. This has profound implications for patients with long-standing character pathology and psychiatric comorbidities, who are underserved by the provision of health services that could efficiently address their issues. Methods: This study presents a psychoanalytic perspective on IGD, based on Kohut’s Self Psychology as applied in the treatment of other addictions. An outline of the theory, assessment and treatment modalities is presented with two case reports that illustrate its application. Results: The presentation outlines the challenges in treating IGD, expanding on the concept of guided imagery, resistance to treatment, selfobject transference and comorbidity with marijuana use and bipolar disorder. Conclusions: A psychoanalytically driven protocol can be effective in treating IGD, especially in cases with marked character pathology and low motive to engage in other treatment modalities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Everyday Life Behaviors, Medical Disorders, and Psychopathology through the Lens of the Psychodynamic Approach)
19 pages, 669 KiB  
Article
The Relevance of Internal Working Models of Self and Others for Equine-Assisted Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
by Géza Kovács, Annemiek van Dijke, Roeslan Leontjevas and Marie-José Enders-Slegers
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10803; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191710803 - 30 Aug 2022
Viewed by 1742
Abstract
Attachment characteristics play a key role in mental health and in understanding mental disorders. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the role the attachment characteristics can play in treatment effects in adult patients with intrapsychic and interpersonal problems who [...] Read more.
Attachment characteristics play a key role in mental health and in understanding mental disorders. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the role the attachment characteristics can play in treatment effects in adult patients with intrapsychic and interpersonal problems who underwent Equine-assisted Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (ESTPP). In the first part of the study, we compared the effects of ESTPP to treatment-as-usual from a previous dataset regarding psychological dysfunction. For this, an explorative experimental non-randomized pre-treatment and 1-year post-treatment design was used. A mixed model revealed a significant decline in psychological dysfunction for both conditions, with no significant difference between the two. In the second part of the study, we examined the course of ESTPP effects over the period of 1 year when controlled for attachment styles and, subsequently, for internal working models of self and others. To this end, measurements were taken at baseline, 2 months waiting time, one-week intensive module, 6 months, and one year after the start of the treatment. Mixed models accounted for repeated measures showed significant improvements in psychological dysfunction, remoralization, and depression for ESTPP patients over time. The study implies that models of self and others may be used to predict the course of effects, which is relevant in determining what works for whom. In particularly, duration and intensity of therapy and a focus on the Model of Self seem relevant for shaping a more personalized treatment. ESTPP seems beneficial for patients with low pre-treatment attachment security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Everyday Life Behaviors, Medical Disorders, and Psychopathology through the Lens of the Psychodynamic Approach)
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25 pages, 1720 KiB  
Article
Heavy Study Investment: An Analysis of the Defense Mechanisms Characterizing Studyholism and Study Engagement
by Yura Loscalzo and Marco Giannini
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9413; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19159413 - 01 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1503
Abstract
Defense mechanisms are unconscious processes that protect a person from excessive anxiety. They are part of everyday functioning, and mature defenses are associated with positive outcomes. However, the excessive use of defenses or the use of immature defenses is associated with psychopathology. The [...] Read more.
Defense mechanisms are unconscious processes that protect a person from excessive anxiety. They are part of everyday functioning, and mature defenses are associated with positive outcomes. However, the excessive use of defenses or the use of immature defenses is associated with psychopathology. The present study aims to analyze the defense mechanisms that characterize two types of heavy study investment: Studyholism and Study Engagement. We performed a path analysis, MANOVAs, and binary logistic regressions on 422 Italian college students (Mage = 22.56 ± 2.87; 63.5% females). Among the main findings, the strongest (and positive) predictor of Studyholism is regression (maladaptive defense), while for Study Engagement, it is task-orientation (adaptive defense). Hence, Studyholism might be defined as a new potential clinical condition. Additionally, a critical analysis of all the defense mechanisms predicting Studyholism supports the appropriateness of the OCD-related framework for conceptualizing Studyholism. Regarding Study Engagement, even if generally associated with a positive defense style, the finding that it is positively predicted by projection confirms previous studies suggesting that, for some students, it might constitute a coping strategy with paranoid symptoms (and social anxiety and anxiety). Hence, we recommend screening engaged students for social impairment and clinically relevant symptoms that might be hidden by hard studying. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Everyday Life Behaviors, Medical Disorders, and Psychopathology through the Lens of the Psychodynamic Approach)
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6 pages, 476 KiB  
Communication
Females with Eating Disorders and Urinary Incontinence: A Psychoanalytic Perspective
by Qin Xiang Ng, Yu Liang Lim, Wayren Loke, Kuan Tsee Chee and Donovan Yutong Lim
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4874; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19084874 - 17 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2495
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs) are complicated mental illnesses with significant treatment resistance and dropout rates. For successful treatment, it is important for clinicians to better understand the patients’ narrative and their lived experiences. A thorough psychodynamic understanding of patients’ childhood attachment and primary relationships, [...] Read more.
Eating disorders (EDs) are complicated mental illnesses with significant treatment resistance and dropout rates. For successful treatment, it is important for clinicians to better understand the patients’ narrative and their lived experiences. A thorough psychodynamic understanding of patients’ childhood attachment and primary relationships, personality traits and mental processes is, therefore, crucial for managing patients with ED. Interestingly, several studies have observed an association between functional urinary symptoms and individuals with ED. EDs such as anorexia nervosa are associated with an increased risk of all urinary symptoms, and functional incontinence was also more common in extreme female athletes with low energy availability and with disordered eating. There is, however, a dearth of literature describing this relationship, and the underlying mechanisms remain remote. In this paper, we present a psychoanalytic approach to the presence of urinary symptoms in females with EDs. We hypothesize that these symptoms are tied to specific traits or characteristics of ED patients, namely the overarching need for control, a pathological strive for perfection and the self-denial of basic bodily urges. This is discussed in relation to psychopathological processes, development and personality factors commonly seen in patients with ED. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Everyday Life Behaviors, Medical Disorders, and Psychopathology through the Lens of the Psychodynamic Approach)
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