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The Effectiveness of Psychodynamic Therapy for Personality Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Psychodynamic therapy has long been considered a valuable intervention for personality disorders, addressing underlying conflicts and relational patterns that contribute to symptomatology. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluates the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy in reducing symptom severity and improving overall functioning in individuals with personality disorders. Through an extensive literature review, the meta-analysis synthesizes effect sizes from RCTs assessing the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy compared to control conditions (e.g., treatment as usual, supportive therapy) in targeting symptoms associated with personality disorders, including interpersonal difficulties, affective instability, identity disturbance, and impulsivity. Additionally, it examines potential moderators of treatment outcomes, such as treatment length, therapist experience, treatment fidelity, and participant characteristics (e.g., specific personality disorder diagnosis, comorbidities), to better understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy for personality disorders.
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References
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