Attachment relationships and (introjective and anaclitical) vulnerability factors to depression: Idiographic assessment with the Self-Confrontation Method

In the Self-Confrontation Method (SCM, Hermans & Hermans-Jansen, 1995), which
is rooted in valuation theory, the identification and discussion of one or more
guiding themes in a person*s self-narrative is one of the main activities of
psychologist and client. The purpose is to stimulate self-reflection so that
the client learns to detect in his or her story affective patterns that are
reflections of two basic motives: (a) the *striving for self-enhancement* (Self
motive: e.g. strength, self-confidence), and (b) the *longing for contact and
union with something or someone else* (Other motive: e.g., love, tenderness).
An important result of this communicative self-exploration is that central
themes become visible in the self-narrative that pose suggestions to the client
how to proceed. To that end valuations are clustered in a typology which
comprises six basic types of experiences, each representing a different theme
at a latent level. This study concerns the construct validity of this
SCM-typology. Concepts from valuation theory are being compared to concepts
from other theories that also make a fundamental distinction between
"(development of) self" and *(relationships with) others*.
(A) The Self an Other scales as used in the SCM mirror the bipolar
dimensions from interpersonal theory (e.g., Wiggins, 1979): submissiveness
versus dominance, and quarrelsomeness versus agreeableness. Van Geel (2000) has
pointed out the theoretical similarity between the hexagonal arrangement of the
basic types of experiences (SCM typology) and the interpersonal circumplex (p.
12). (B) The distinction between self and other is also conspicuous in
attachment theory, wherein four prototypes of attachment are being discerned on
the basis of two bipolar dimensions: "negative vs. positive view of self" and
"negative vs. positive view of others* (Brennan, Clark & Shaver, 1998). (C)
Hermans and Hermans-Jansen (1995) describe three types of depression.
Theoretically, the *prolonged grieving depression* (prominence of SCM-theme of
*unfulfilled longing*) is similar to the anaclitical depression which results
from an excessive reliance on, or investment in, significant others, together
with intense needs for acceptance and love from others; The *self-directed
hostility depression* (excessive presence of *aggression and anger*) is quite
similar to introjective depression which results from an excessive investment
in strivings for personal achievement, excessive demands for accomplishment and
control, together with stringent self-standards and relentless self-criticism
when these standards are not met (Alden & Bieling, 1996; Beck, 1983; Blatt,
1974; Nietzel & Harris, 1990).

The objective is this study is fourfold:
(1) The primary objective is the (construct-) validation of the SCM-typology.
(2) A second objective is to explore the idiographic narrative assessment of
depression.
(3) A third objective is to explore the idiographic narrative assessment of
attachment relationships.
(4) A fourth objective is to enrich SCM-practice with concepts (and themes)
from attachment theory and cognitive depression theory.

correlational design

Burden: participants invest approximately eight hours in performing a
self-investigation (6 hours) and filling in questionnaires (2 hours at home).
Risk: Usually personal and intimate themes are being discussed in an SCM
self-investigation. Sometimes painfull experiences from the past or present may
then emerge. In that case, a well-trained sensitive psychologist must be
capable of giving the necessary support.
Benefit: The Self-Confrontation Method is presumed to be benificial as it
stimulates self-reflection in a systematic way. Central themes emerging from an
SCM self-investigation may initiate personal development.