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Theresa Wilberg

Publications and source records attributed to Theresa Wilberg.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

An investigation of the validity of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition avoidant personality disorder construct as a prototype category and the psychometric properties of the diagnostic criteria.

This study investigated several aspects of the validity of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition avoidant personality disorder (APD) construct, with emphasis on the psychometric properties of the diagnostic criteria and the prototype nature of the construct. A sample of 1,058 patients from the Norwegian Network of Psychotherapeutic Day Hospitals was examined by means of exploratory factor analysis, correlation, and diagnostic efficiency statistics, chi(2) analysis, and frequency distribution. The results indicated that APD is a 1-dimensional construct with good internal consistency. The criteria had acceptable diagnostic efficiency; criterion 3 performed poorest. Number of APD criteria showed no distinct threshold between No-APD and patients with APD. Sixty-two different combinations of any 4 APD criteria occurred. It can be concluded that the prototype model fitted the data well and that the APD diagnostic criteria perform well in the current classification system. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition hierarchy of criteria was not supported.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Outpatient group psychotherapy following day treatment for patients with personality disorders.

This prospective, naturalistic study evaluated the practice and effectiveness of an outpatient group therapy program following day treatment for patients with personality disorders (PDs). One hundred and eighty-seven patients (86% patients with PDs and 14% with no PDs), were treated in outpatient psychodynamic group therapy. Outcome was assessed by Global Assessment of Functioning, Symptom Check List 90-R, and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-Circumplex, short version, at admission and discharge from day treatment, and at the end of outpatient group therapy. Average length of outpatient therapy was 24 months. Forty-three percent terminated in an irregular manner. Outcome of the continuation therapy was satisfactory for patients without PDs. For PD patients, the improvement from the day treatment was maintained during outpatient therapy, but further improvements were modest for symptoms and interpersonal distress, somewhat better for global functioning. Implications for further treatment development are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Models for understanding personality pathology].

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of personality disorders is high and patients with personality disorders are known to be difficult to treat. The assessment of different types of personality disorders has been facilitated by the development of explicit diagnostic criteria. However, the diagnostic manuals have tended to be atheoretical, defining and classifying personality disorders mainly on a descriptive level of behaviour and symptoms. There is no consensus on a theoretical understanding of personality pathology. The concept of personality disorder is currently under debate and investigation, theoretically as well as empirically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This paper presents some of the major theories of personality disorders that are currently discussed in the literature. RESULTS: The models represent different schools of thought, lean on different methodological assumptions, and focus on different aspects of personality. The theories are to varying degrees focused on aetiology, classification and treatment. A major trend is to supplement theories developed within the context of clinical psychiatry with models from normal psychology. INTERPRETATION: Personality disorder is a complex phenomenon. Different theories are probably useful for different aspects of personality pathology and for different groups of personality disorders. More empirical research is needed in order to clarify the validity of the different models.

Behavior↗
PubMed2002

Patients' characteristics, outcome and cost-benefit of hospital-based treatment for patients with personality disorder: a comparison of three different programmes.

In this study we aimed (a) to ascertain whether a relationship exists between different treatment programmes and settings for personality disorder and patient characteristics; (b) to give an indication of treatment effects in three personality disordered populations admitted to different treatment contexts; and (c) to compare costs in relation to outcomes. We collected and compared three samples from one in-patient site (Cassel in England) and two day hospitals (Halliwick in England and Ulleval in Norway) on a number of demographic, diagnostic and other key clinical variables. Outcome in the areas of symptom severity (Symptom Checklist-90-R) and social adaptation (Social Adjustment Scale) was evaluated by comparing admission with discharge scores. Treatment costs for each sample were also estimated and compared. Significant differences were found on most baseline variables across the three sites. In general with regard to severity of psychopathology, the Halliwick sample was the most disturbed, Ulleval the least, with Cassel somewhat in between. No significant differences in improvement were found among the three sites, but treatment costs were considerably higher at Cassel than in the two day centres. The differences found in the three samples bear no clear relationship to context of treatment. These results suggest that referral of personality disorder for in-patient or day hospital treatment is less influenced by severity of problem than had previously been supposed and may depend more on availability of treatment facility.

Adult↗