Role-relationship models for case formulation.

BACKGROUND

Personality disorders are important because they occur frequently and often complicate psychiatric symptom disorders. They are difficult to diagnose and formulate because unitary core traits and themes are hard to define for individual patients. A multiple-selves approach helps clinicians define core contradictions in belief that are frequently present.

METHOD: A configurational system for case formulation was used with an approach of states and person schemas. Transactions and stories involving self and others were observed for recurrent elements of identity, attribution, and action. These elements were systematically arranged as role relationship models for each important state of behavior. Cyclic repetitions of maladaptive interpersonal behavior patterns were then explained in terms of motivations and social events that activate enduring, but erroneous, beliefs.

RESULTS

Reliable and valid individualized formulations were derived by means of configurations of role relationship models. Inferring several levels of diverse self and other beliefs clarified the complexity usually found in disorders of personality.

CONCLUSIONS

The role relationship models method of formulation is compatible with integrative approaches to treatment planning.