STEREOTYPICAL RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Background: We explored the relationship between the consistency of re lationship patterns and the severity of psychopathology, Method: Relat ionship patterns were assessed by means of Relationship Anecdote Parad igm interviews rated according to the Core Conflictual Relationship Th eme (CCRT) method. The repetition of the same type of CCRT components across relationship narratives indicated stereotypical patterns. Resul ts: Subjects treated in an inpatient setting (n = 25) told narratives with more consistent patterns than subjects in an outpatient setting ( n = 32). Relationship episodes of normal adults (n = 23) were more fle xible compared with the two clinical groups. Especially repetitions of the wish component were closely associated with the severity of psych opathology assessed by SCL-90R. Conclusions: The consistency of relati onship patterns seems to be connected with the severity of psychopatho logy.