A meta‐analysis of psychopathy‐, antisocial PD‐ and FFM associations

This research meta‐analytically summarizes the relationships of the Five‐Factor Model (FFM) with psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD). Effect sizes of the associations between psychopathy, APD and the FFM were compiled from 26 independent samples (N = 6913) for psychopathy and 57 independent samples (N = 16 424) for APD. The results revealed predominantly points of similarity and some differences in the FFM associations of both disorders. Symptoms of psychopathy and APD were negatively associated with Conscientiousness and Agreeableness facets and positively with scores on Angry–Hostility (N2), Impulsiveness (N5), Excitement Seeking (E5) and negatively with Warmth (E1). Only psychopathy had a small negative association with Anxiety (N1) and was characterized by stronger negative associations with Agreeableness and Straightforwardness (A2), Compliance (A4) and Modesty (A5) compared to APD. The moderator analyses showed that sample type, use of the NEO‐PI‐R and APD instrument moderated the APD FFM associations, while psychopathy instrument and age group were moderators in the psychopathy MA. Implications of this research for the assessment of APD and psychopathy relying on dimensional models of personality pathology are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interkulturelle Aspekte bei der Behandlung somatoformer Störungen

Patients from family-oriented societies have a different perception of pain and different conceptions of healing, which up to now have not been sufficiently appreciated in modern multimodal therapeutic approaches. Inadequate knowledge of anatomy and bodily functions and traditional perceptions of pain (e.g. magic, curses, punishment, etc.) have a substantial influence on diagnostics. The pain experience is regarded holistically in relation to the body, rather than being confined to a particular part of the body. Limited access to psychological complaints often leads to physical complaints. The ailing body is an expression of the social, the economic, the psychological and cultural state of the patient and the history of migration and status in the collective. A multimodal interdisciplinary and culture-sensitive approach is required for effective pain treatment of patients with a tradition-bound background.     

Cannabiskonsum und -missbrauch bei Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen

After a long time of growth current studies on representative samples of adolescents indicate that the number of adolescent cannabis users in Germany is possibly decreasing. However, it may be presumptuous to expect a similar trend concerning the number of clients with cannabis-related disorders. Even if there is in fact a downward trend which is not yet proven, the rapidly growing number of clients presenting with these disorders in recent years cannot be explained by a similar growth in the number of regular cannabis users. Treatment centres should therefore expect a further inreasing number of especially male adolescents and young adults seeking help for problems related to cannabis use. The development, evaluation and implementation of specific treatment options concerning cannabis use disorders will be increasingly needed in the future. Cognitive-behavioral and motivational interventions have been shown to be evidence-based treatments. The paper describes some promising or already successful treatment approaches and related research projects in Germany.     

PALME

Background

Single mothers and their children are exposed to increased psychosocial burdens and risks. Nevertheless, in Germany offers of help especially designed for the needs of this group are lacking.

Method

An emotion-oriented parental training program (PALME, http://www.palme-elterntraining.de) based on the attachment theory was developed particularly for single mothers with preschool children. The training is guided by trained kindergarten nurses. The effectiveness of the parental training program on the measure of maternal psychological impairment, emotional competence and child problem behavior was investigated within a randomized, controlled study with 61 single mothers suffering from medium grade psychosocial impairment.

Results

Analyses of variance revealed significant group×time interaction effects in favor of the intervention group compared to controls. After the training the mothers showed improvement in their psychological impairment, depression and emotional competence. In addition, evidence suggests that behavioral problems of the children were reduced.

Conclusion

In view of the benefits of this parental training and its low costs it should be recommended as a regular offer of support for single mothers within community settings.     

Psychotherapie für Straftäter

The legal and administrative framework for psychotherapy of offenders in prisons and secure forensic hospitals is outlined. Established treatment programs for offenders are presented including different variations of standardized cognitive behavioral approaches, e. g. relapse prevention programs (RP), dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP), and mentalization-based treatment (MBT). The foci of the individual programs as well as their integrative tendencies are described. In psychodynamic therapies cognitive processes are taken into consideration and, vice versa, cognitive-behavioral therapists discover the significance of the therapeutic relationship.     

Psychoanalytische Überlegungen zur Pädophilie

Following the long psychoanalytic tradition in the treatment of paedophiles, in a first step this article tries to define structural components of sexual delinquency that on the one hand correlate with the psychoanalytic model of psychic structures and on the other hand are consistent with the clinical experience of forensic psychotherapeutic practice. In a second step different levels of severity in the structural psychopathology of sexual delinquents are described by taking advantage of the object relationship theoretical conception of personality organisation. Finally, in a third step the psychodynamic features of these patients are highlighted, which have frequently been found and described in the clinical psychoanalytic literature on paedophilia including traumatising mother relationship, narcissistic object choice, inadequate triangulation, self-permuting drive, simulation and disturbance of identification.     

Zwischen Klinik und Politik

Based on the current debate on the traumatisation of soldiers in Afghanistan, the article traces the historical development of trauma concepts from the 19th century to the present day. Thereby, it is shown that without reflecting on the socio-political context on the part of therapists and experts, medical and psychotherapeutic measures are at risk of being exploited by undetected political interests.     

Goethes Studienkrise, Depression und seine Selbstbehandlungsstrategien

From a present day diagnostic viewpoint Goethe suffered from several episodes of depression beginning with his study crisis. In addition he wrote that he had a tendency towards dysthymic moods. In terms of modern psychotherapeutic procedures the various levels of Goethe’s self-therapy strategies are remarkable: acceptance of helpful bonding and relationships, correction of dysfunctional behavior and modification of pathogenic conceptions and beliefs as well as remembrance, enactment and mentalization of psychodynamic conflicts. Finally at an existential level his salutogenic strategies served to invoke a sence of coherence often threatened in his life. Anxieties, dysthymic moods, lack of self-esteem and existential conflicts were for him not only the reason and motive for realization of his extraordinary artistic potential. For modern psychotherapists and patients it is interesting that the acceptance of dysthymic moods and psychological conflicts and the transformation through relationships, cognitive behavior-oriented and psychodynamic strategies as well as an existential self-effective striving also lead to everyday creativity, i.e. coping with life.     

Psychotherapeutenausbildung aus Sicht der Absolventen

Background

A survey was performed to assess the current situation in education and to identify critical issues 10 years after the inception of the psychotherapy act in Germany.

Methods

In August 2008 all non-medical psychotherapists who had graduated since 2002 according the psychotherapy act were invited to take part in the survey and a total of 863 persons participated. The answers from 666 could be evaluated corresponding to a participation rate of 20%.

Results

A total of 57.6% of the graduates had completed a full-time training and approximately 50% of the graduates had completed the training within the allotted time. In the majority of cases evaluation occurred only for the theoretical courses. During the practical work (PT I) 36.8% of the graduates did not receive any salary or remuneration, 82% had their own field of activity and of these 38% treated patients without the presence of qualified tutor.

Conclusions

The training often lasts longer than intended, the financial situation in the PT I is exceptionally critical and in clear contrast to the field of activity in this section of training. Further detailed results will be presented and discussed.