Passive Aggressive Vocabulary

Abstract

This article provides a description, definition, and some research data on passive-aggressive personality structure, as well as practical recommendations and methods for working with such clients. The article outlines the main features of passive aggression and its implications for personality adaptation. It also offers practical recommendations for therapists, including techniques for working with clients, intervention strategies, and approaches to working with clients exhibiting a high degree of passive-aggressive defenses. The article introduces the “Dictionary of Passive Aggression”, formulated by practicing psychologists who participated in the practical course for psychologists “Therapeutic Skills” with Irina Pingareva (psychoanalyst, Certified Transactional Analyst of the European Registry CTA-P-EATA, body-oriented therapist, instructor at the International Institute of Developmental TA — MIR-TA, author of trainings and seminars). This dictionary was compiled through the analysis of typical expressions and behavioral patterns observed by participants in practice. The purpose of this dictionary is to help specialists identify and understand passive-aggressive expressions and their possible roots. This article may be beneficial for both psychotherapy specialists and a broader audience interested in understanding passive aggression in everyday life.