Mentalizing as a Mechanism of Change in the Therapy of Conduct Disorder. A Controlled Case Study

Abstract

Mentalizing as a Mechanism of Change in the Therapy of Conduct Disorder. A Controlled Case Study This controlled case study is dedicated to mentalizing as a mechanism of change in the course of a mentalization-based therapy for the treatment of conduct disorder. Following an introduction to conduct, oppositional defiant disorder and the concept of mentalizing, the case study of a 17-year-old male patient is presented. The patient's mentalizing is measured with the Reflective Functioning Scale and assessed prior to and after treatment as well as in therapy sessions at three time points through the course of therapy. Analyses show that the capacity for mentalizing fluctuates noticeably within but also between the coded therapy sessions. During the course of therapy first an increase and then a slight decrease in mentalizing qualities become apparent. The comparison of the pre- and post-measurement shows a slight increase in the patient's mentalizing abilities. Additionally the patient no longer fulfilled the criteria of a conduct disorder. The results are discussed and implications for clinical practice are formulated.