Identity Structure Analysis: a potential framework for process and outcome evaluation in psychotherapy
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the potential utility of Identity Structure Analysis (ISA) in single-case and group-level outcome and process evaluations.
Design/methodology/approach
A study was conducted to evaluate mentalization-based therapy by using ISA and its linked framework software, Ipseus. Ten patients with borderline personality disorder and substance use disorder were involved in the study. ISA/Ipseus was administered prior to and at the completion of the treatment. Five-year follow-up data, comprising behavioural indicators, were also collected and compared to ISA/Ipseus results.
Findings
Improvements occurred in the evaluation of stressful, demanding and emotionally burdening situations. Evaluations on concerned others also improved, together with progress in self-reflection. Changes in the evaluation of recovery-related themes were less salient. On a case level, changes in the self-states and role models were consistent with the results of the five-year-follow up data. An initial crisis state seems suggestive of progress, while initial defensive positions with high positive self-regard, of stagnation.
Originality/value
ISA/Ipseus, integrating the benefits of qualitative and quantitative approaches in evaluation, is a potential method to explore the complexity of identity changes during therapy.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Declarations
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all patients prior to being included in the study.
Funding: No funds, grants or other support was received.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Ethics declarations: Ethical approval no. 5834 by the Regional Research Ethics Committee, University of (anonymised for blind review). Patients could refuse participation but receive therapy. Patients’ original names were changed. The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Data availability: Raw data are available at: http://pea.lib.pte.hu/handle/pea/34042
Authorship: All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Data collection and transcription were performed by Tamás Kárpáti and Robert Rozgonyi. Data analysis was performed by Rebeka Jávor, Marta B. Erdos and Tamás Kárpáti. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Marta B. Erdos, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Citation
B. Erdos, M., Karpati, T., Rozgonyi, R. and Jávor, R. (2023), "Identity Structure Analysis: a potential framework for process and outcome evaluation in psychotherapy", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-06-2023-0071
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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