Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Clients’ attachment styles have been shown to be a consistent predictor of therapeutic processes. However, how clients’ attachment styles impact the resolution of self-criticism, an important process in emotional-focused therapy (EFT), is not well understood. The main objective of this study was to examine whether the resolution of self-criticism mediates the relationship between clients’ pre and post therapy attachment style. To this end, data from a randomized control trial (RCT) conducted by Watson et al. (2003) was used. Results indicated that clients may engage and successfully complete in-session resolution of self-criticism irrespective of their pre-therapy attachment style. Moreover, although clients’ attachment styles change over the course of therapy, resolution of self-criticism did not contribute to changes in post-attachment style. However, resolution of self-criticism contributes to clients’ self-reported post-session changes and these changes predict improvement at the end of therapy. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Somayyeh Kamalou
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3124945408