Abstract
Self-esteem variability is often associated with poor functioning. However, in disorders with entrenched negative views of
self and in a context designed to challenge those views, variable self-esteem might represent a marker of change. We examined
self-esteem variability in a sample of 27 patients with Avoidant and Obsessive–Compulsive Personality Disorders who received
Cognitive Therapy. A therapy coding system was used to rate patients’ positive and negative views of self expressed in the
first ten sessions of a 52-week treatment. Ratings of negative (reverse scored) and positive view of self were summed to create
a composite score for each session. Self-esteem variability was calculated as the standard deviation of self-esteem scores
across sessions. More self-esteem variability predicted more improvement in personality disorder and depression symptoms at
the end of treatment, beyond baseline and average self-esteem. Early variability in self-esteem, in this population and context,
appeared to be a marker of therapeutic change.
self and in a context designed to challenge those views, variable self-esteem might represent a marker of change. We examined
self-esteem variability in a sample of 27 patients with Avoidant and Obsessive–Compulsive Personality Disorders who received
Cognitive Therapy. A therapy coding system was used to rate patients’ positive and negative views of self expressed in the
first ten sessions of a 52-week treatment. Ratings of negative (reverse scored) and positive view of self were summed to create
a composite score for each session. Self-esteem variability was calculated as the standard deviation of self-esteem scores
across sessions. More self-esteem variability predicted more improvement in personality disorder and depression symptoms at
the end of treatment, beyond baseline and average self-esteem. Early variability in self-esteem, in this population and context,
appeared to be a marker of therapeutic change.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-011-9375-x
- Authors
- Jorden A. Cummings, Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Adele M. Hayes, Department of Psychology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- LeeAnn Cardaciotto, Department of Psychology, LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Cory F. Newman, Center for Cognitive Therapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916