Implicative Dilemmas and Symptomatology Measures: A Practice-Based Evidence Study of Existential Therapy. Issue 4 (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vitali, Diego; Santini, Anna; Sayers, Lauren; Mospan, Anastasia
• Is Part Of: Journal of constructivist psychology. Volume 33:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 351
• Page End: 366
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: Personal construct theory -- Periodicals; Constructivism (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 150.1985
• DOI: 10.1080/10720537.2019.1592038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1072-0537

Abstract

Abstract : This study examined change in frequency and content of implicative dilemmas before and after a course of short-term existential therapy. 57 adult patients presenting mild to moderate level of depression or anxiety were treated in a naturalistic setting. Repertory grid technique was applied to assess their construing system before and after the intervention. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were applied to explore change in implicative dilemmas and in depressive or anxious symptomatology. Results show a clear reduction in symptomatology levels and a non-significant reduction in the prevalence of implicative dilemmas although the latter was not associated with changes in symptomatology.