A group's level of defensive functioning affects individual outcomes in group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy.

We used an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) to study the association between the individual group member and other group therapy members' defensive functioning on an individual group member's treatment outcome. We hypothesized that (a) more adaptive individual defensive functioning at pretreatment will be significantly related to better treatment outcomes (i.e., lower binge-eating and interpersonal distress) at 6 months post-treatment; and (b) more adaptive other group members' defensive functioning at pretreatment will be significantly related to better treatment outcomes at 6 months post-treatment. Participants (N = 136) were individuals with BED enrolled in group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy (GPIP). Participants completed attachment interviews and were assessed on interpersonal distress and days binged at pretreatment and 6 months post-treatment. The interview audio recordings were transcribed and used to code defensive functioning. We found that individual overall defensive functioning (ODF) scores at pretreatment were not significantly associated with binge-eating frequency or interpersonal distress at 6 months post-treatment. Other group members' mean ODF scores at pretreatment were significantly associated with individual interpersonal distress at 6 months post-treatment. However, the other group members' mean ODF scores were not significantly associated with individual binge-eating outcomes at 6 months post-treatment. Defensive functioning of other members of a therapy group may be particularly important for improving interpersonal functioning in individuals with BED. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Change in Defensive Functioning Following Group Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Psychotherapy in Women With Binge-Eating Disorder.

We examined change in defensive functioning following group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy (GPIP) for binge-eating disorder (BED) compared to a waitlist control. We hypothesized that defensive functioning will improve to a greater extent at posttreatment for those in GPIP compared with those in a waitlist control condition. Participants were women with BED assigned to GPIP (n = 131) or a waitlist control (n = 44) condition in a quasi-experimental design. Those who received GPIP had significantly greater improvements in defensive functioning from pretreatment to six months posttreatment compared to the control group. GPIP may be effective for improving defensive functioning in individuals with BED. A randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm that GPIP is efficacious for addressing defensive functioning among women with BED.

A qualitative investigation of expected versus actual initial sexual experiences before age 16.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals often develop expectations prior to their initial sexual experiences based on external messages from peers and the broader culture. According to sexual script theory (Simon & Gagnon, 1986), these expectations form schemas about how an initial sexual experience should occur. When reality deviates from these schemas, dissatisfaction can occur (McCormick, 1987). The current study examines the contrast between expectations and reported initial sexual experiences before age 16. METHODS: Forty young adult participants were recruited from four local Atlantic Canadian universities (77.5% women; M age = 20.20, SD = 1.31; 75% heterosexual; 77.5% Caucasian). Semi-structured qualitative interviews on participants' actual initial sexual experiences, expectations of initial sexual experiences, and perceived consequences of initial sexual experiences were conducted. Thematic analysis of the interviews was conducted using a grounded theory framework. RESULTS: Findings indicated that respondents' expectations were influenced by sources such as various media, peers, family, and religion. Initial sexual experiences reportedly met, surpassed, or failed to meet participants' expectations. The presence or absence of a discrepancy between expected and actual sexual experiences was perceived to shape subsequent sexual encounters. A theoretical model of development and adaptations of sexual experience expectations was developed in accordance with these results. CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons between expected and actual initial sexual experiences can be perceived by youth as having consequences on their personal and interpersonal well-being. Honest communication between parents, educators, and youth should therefore be prioritized in order to establish more realistic expectations of initial sexual experiences.