Differentiation-Relatedness Scale and the Object Relations Interview training

Length

2 days

Location

Anna Freud Centre

Tutor(s)

Patrick Luyten (University of Leuven, Belgium, and University College London/Anna Freud Centre, UK)

Start time

09:00

End time

16:00

Timetable

Download timetable

Course Overview

Contemporary approaches to personality increasingly recognize the importance of impairments in interpersonal relatedness and self-definition as fundamental dimensions in normal and disrupted personality development. An emphasis on these dimensions is central in attachment theory, object relation approaches, and contemporary theories of personality disorder (e.g., Livesley, Blatt). In line with these views, current proposals for axis II in DSM 5 similarly emphasize impairments in self and interpersonal relatedness in diagnosing personality pathology (see www.dsm5.org). Hence, theoretical approaches that emphasize disruptions in the sense of self and the capacity for interpersonal relatedness provide a trans-theoretical and transdiagnostic view of personality pathology, and necessitate the development of research instruments to assess these dimensions.

The Differentiation-Relatedness Scale (DR-S) provides one of the few empirically supported and theory-driven approaches to the measurement of these dimensions. Rooted in cognitive and psychodynamic developmental theory, and informed by attachment and mentalizing perspectives, the DR-S assesses the whole range of personality functioning, ranging from primitive levels of personality functioning characterized by self-other diffusion to splitting and emerging ambivalence tolerance, to more adaptive levels of relatedness and self-definition that characterize adaptive personality functioning. In research, the DR-S has been successfully used to assess therapeutic change beyond symptom change and to track therapeutic change at the individual, case level. In clinical practice, the DR-S is also ideally suited to help the clinician in finding a treatment focus. Because of its focus on the self and the self in relation to specific others (e.g., mother, father, partner, therapist), it allows for a differentiated and relationship-specific assessment of impairments in self and relatedness, and thus provides the clinician with an empirically supported, clinically relevant tool which can be used for diagnosis, to guide the treatment and to assess treatment outcome.

Who is this course suitable for?

Mental health professionals, researchers, social workers and teachers working with adult personality and psychopathology. Some experience of interviewing adults would be an advantage, as would some familiarity with object relations and attachment theory. However, nothing beyond interest in learning about the method is required.

Aims of course

To teach the rationale and technique of the Differentation-Relatedness scale as scored on the Object Relations Interview, a brief semi-structured interview. This includes the teaching of the manualised method of coding and reviewing various interviews, providing practice in the coding of the scale. The training will also include discussion of how the DR-S may be applied to other data sources (e.g. semi-structured interviews such as the AAI, five minute speech samples, etc.).

Reliability Test

To achieve an accreditation that will allow you to use the Differentation-Relatedness Scale as scored on the Object Relations Interview for research purposes you need to successfully complete a Reliability Test. If you want the accreditation you will receive a Reliability Test file containing 15 Adult Object Relations Interviews and instructions at the end of your training. On successful completion of the Reliability Test you will be authorised to use the Differentation-Relatedness Scale for research purposes.

Availability

There are currently no dates scheduled for this course. We hope to announce new dates shortly.