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Original Articles

Development and criterion validity of a computerized text analysis measure of reflective functioning

, , , &
Pages 298-305 | Received 10 May 2011, Accepted 08 Dec 2011, Published online: 09 Feb 2012
 

Abstract

The Reflective Functioning scale (RF) is a narrative-based assessment of the capacity to coherently conceptualize one's own and others' subjective motivations, emotions, beliefs, and desires. We report the preliminary results of an effort to develop a computerized text analysis version (CRF) of the RF assessment system. A sample of 113 clinical and non-clinical Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI) were utilized to develop the CRF measure. Using the Marker Approach (Mergenthaler & Bucci, 1999), 54 linguistic markers of high RF language were identified. The associations between CRF and RF were significant in both a clinical sample of patients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) (Spearman rho=.57, p<.0001) and a non-clinical sample of adults (Spearman rho=.57, p=.002). These results suggest that a CRF rating scale is feasible, has preliminary criterion validity, and, therefore, has potential to facilitate the efficient assessment of RF.

Abstract

La scala della funzione riflessiva (RF) è un narrative-based assessment della capacità di concettualizzare coerentemente le proprie e altrui motivazioni soggettive, emozioni, credenze e desideri. Nel presente lavoro saranno riportati i risultati preliminari sullo sviluppo di una versione computerizzata di analisi testuale (CRF) del sistema di assessment della RF. Per costruire la CRF è stato utilizzato un campione costituito da 113 Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI) di soggetti clinici e non clinici. Utilizzando il Marker Approach (Mergenthaler & Bucci, 1999), sono stati identificati 54 marker linguistici con alti livelli di RF. L'associazione tra CRF e RF è risultata significativa sia per i soggetti clinici diagnosticati con disturbo di personalità Borderline (BPD) (Spearman rho_.57,p<.0001) e per il campione non clinico di adulti (Spearman rho_.57, p=.002). Questi risultati suggeriscono che la scala CRF è affidabile, mostra buoni livelli preliminari di validità di criterio,e mostra potenzialità nel facilitare l'assessment efficiente della RF.

Abstract

RÉSUMÉ

L’échelle de fonctionnement réflexif (RF) est une évaluation basée sur la narration de la capacité de conceptualiser de manière cohérente les motivations subjectives de soi et de l'autre, les émotions, les croyances et les désirs. Nous rendons compte des résultats préliminaires d'un essai de développement de la version par ordinateur d'une analyse de texte (CRF) d'un système d’évaluation du RF. Un échantillon de 113 entretiens cliniques d'attachement adulte (AAI) a été utilisé pour développer la mesure CRF. En utilisant une approche par marqueurs (Mergenthaler & Bucci, 1999), 54 marqueurs linguistiques d'un langage avec haut RF ont été identifiés. Les associations entre CRF et RF étaient significatives dans les deux échantillons cliniques diagnostiqués avec troubles de la personnalité (BPD) (rho de Spearman = .57, p < .0001) et un échantillon non clinique d'adultes (rho de Spearman = .57, p = .002). Ces résultats suggèrent que l’échelle de mesure CRF est faisable, montre une validité de critère préliminaire et de ce fait a le potentiel pour faciliter une évaluation efficiente du RF.

Resumo

A escala Reflective Functioning (RF) é uma narrativa baseada na avaliação da capacidade de conceptualizar de forma coerente as motivações, emoções, crenças e desejos do próprio e dos outros. Apresentamos os resultados preliminares do desenvolvimento de uma versão da análise computadorizada de texto (CRF) do sistema de avaliação de RF. A Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI) foi utilizada numa amostra de 113 adultos clínicos e não clínicos com o objetivo de desenvolver a medida CRF. Ao utilizar a Marker Approach (Mergenthaler & Bucci, 1999), foram identificados 54 marcadores linguísticos de elevada língua RF. As associações entre CRF e FR foram significativas tanto nas amostras clínicas de pacientes com diagnóstico de Perturbação de Personalidade Borderline (BPD) (Spearman rho_.57, pB.0001), como na amostra não-clínica de adultos (Spearman rho_.57, p_.002 ). Estes resultados revelam que a CRF é fiável, tem validade critério preliminar, e, por conseguinte, tem potencial para facilitar a avaliação eficiente de RF.

Abstract

Die Reflective Functioning Skala (RF) ist ein narrations-basiertes Erhebungsverfahren, welches misst in wie weit eine Person in der Lage ist eigene und andere subjektive Motivationen, Emotionen, Überzeugungen und Wünsche kohärent zu erfassen. Wir berichten die vorläufigen Ergebnisse der Bemühungen, eine computer-basierte Textanalyseversion (CRF) des RF Erhebungssystem zu entwickeln. Zur Entwicklung der CRF diente eine Stichprobe von 113 klinischen und nicht-klinischen Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI). Unter Anwendung des Marker Approach (Mergenthaler & Bucci, 1999) wurden 54 linguistische Marker für stark ausgeprägte RF Sprache identifiziert. Die Zusammenhänge zwischen CRF und RF waren in der klinischen Stichprobe mit Patienten – diagnostiziert mit einer Boderline Persönlichkeitsstörung (BPD) – (Spearman rho = .57, p < .0001) und in der nicht-klinischen Stichprobe Erwachsener (Spearman rho = .57, p = .002) signifikant. Diese Ergebnisse deuten an, dass die CRF Ratingskala einsetzbar ist, sie über eine vorläufige Kriteriumsvalidität verfügt und somit das Potential hat die effiziente Erhebung von RF zu erleichtern.

Acknowledgements

EF and EM contributed equally to this manuscript as first authors. This research was supported by grants from the Research Fund of the International Psychoanalytical Association and NIMH (K23MH077044) to EF, the Kohler Fund of Munich and NIMH (F32 MH12530) to KNL, and a grant from the Borderline Personality Disorder Research Foundation (BPDRF) awarded to Otto F. Kernberg.

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