THERAPIST RESPONSES, PATIENT EMERGING PERSONALITY PATTERNS AND MENTALIZED AFFECTIVITY IN THE PSYCHOTHERAPY OF ADOLESCENTS WITH DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS

The assessment of depressive disorders is challenging in adolescence. This study explored the relationship between patients’ personality patterns, mentalized affectivity, and the therapists’ responses in the treatment of this clinical population. One hundred clinicians completed the Psychodiagnostic Chart-Adolescent of the PDM-2 and the Therapist Response Questionnaire for Adolescents. Adolescent patients filled in the Mentalized Affectivity Scale. Four emerging personality profiles were identified: depressive/introjective, anxious–avoidant, emotionally dysregulated and narcissistic. Adolescents presenting with emotionally dysregulated, and narcissistic personality patterns show greater impairment in the mentalized affectivity and tend to evoke in the therapist negative emotional reactions. Patients with depressive/introjective pattern show better capacities in the mentalized affectivity domain and elicit less negative countertransference reactions. The study extends knowledge on the personality patterns, mentalized affectivity and countertransference reactions related to depressive disorders in adolescents. Therapists should use the information derived from an accurate psychodynamic assessment to promote tailored treatments.