The Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) and psychopathology in patients selected for dynamic psychotherapy

The present naturalistic study examined the relation between core interpers onal patterns measured by the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) me thod and psychopathology in 55 patients selected for long-term dynamic psyc hotherapy. Psychopathology Ras assessed by the DSM-III-R, symptom self-repo rt, and the Karolinska Psychodynamic Profile (KAPP). Patients with differen t DSM-III-R diagnoses did not differ in their CCRTs abstracted from the Rel ationship Anecdote Paradigm interview. Furthermore, lack of flexibility (pe rvasiveness) in the use of different CCRT components was nor associated wit h psychiatric symptoms. Only one significant correlation between character pathology and the CCRT was found: problems concerning the patients' experie nce of social significance were associated with more negative responses of other. Limitations of the CCRT method and the sample used are discussed.