Evaluating change in couple functioning: a psychoanalytic perspective

Abstract

To date, most measures used to assess couples’ relationships have been based on self-report by each individual, without a formula for reaching a combined ‘couple score’. On the other hand, there are a few ‘observational’ measures which assess the interaction between partners on the basis of taped interviews with couples. These instruments tend to be tightly tied to overt verbal sequences of behaviour. Both these approaches have been applied predominantly to the study of cognitive behavioural or eclectic therapies, although providing some research evidence that the more ‘insight orientated’ approaches achieve more lasting change. The authors wished to find or develop a measure which could explore the quality of change resulting from different types of therapy, including ‘insight orientated’ approaches. In particular, an instrument is needed which can pick up the type of changes sought by psychoanalytically orientated therapy, since these may not show a simple correlation with established self-report or observational measures. A measure is discussed which evaluates the aspects of interaction of which the couple may be unaware, using clinical inference as well as observation.