Changes in object relations in long-term mentally ill patients treated in a psychiatric day-care unit

The treatment outcome of a psychiatric day-care unit for long-term mentally ill patients was studied. The aim was to investigate internal representati ons of object relations among the patients at admission and at a one-year f ollow up. Another aim was to compare the pattern of, and change in, interna l object relations with external events, behaviors, social relationships, a nd overt change. Twenty individuals, both psychotic and nonpsychotic patien ts admitted during the first five fears of the unit's existence, were inclu ded in the study. Instruments used were the Percept-genetic Object-Relation Test (PORT), the Health-Sickness Rating Scare (HSRS), and qualitative inte rviews. Patient internal object relations matured during the period of trea tment and follow up. The themes in internal object relations were frequentl y paralleled by similar themes in the individual external life situations. No associations were found between change according to the PORT and the HSR S. This underscores that internal object relations form a specific entity a nd could be included as a measure of structural change to add to the spectr um of important criteria of treatment outcome in clinical studies.