Toward a Relational Theory for Psychiatric Classification

This relational theory is composed of (a) two requirements, verifiability and applicability in laboratory, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention settings, (b) three meta-theoretical assumptions about horizontality, verticality, and settings for intimate relationships (close, committed, inter-dependent, prolonged), (c) two assumptions about distance and ability to love (Axis II, Cluster C personality disorders), control and ability to negotiate (Cluster B), and one correlate about contents and sexual deviations, (d) four major models about: developmental identity-differentiation, styles in intimate relationships, selfhood with four propensities, (selfulness, selfishness, selflessness, no-self) that relate to Axis I syndromes and Cluster A, and priorities, (e) four models applied to distance regulation, the genesis of psychopathology, intimacy, and negotiation, and (f) an overall and a comparative model.

Notes

^a Relational Answers Questionnaire (L'Abate, in press).

^b What Applies To Me that I Agree With? (L'Abate & De Giacomo, 2003).

^c (L'Abate, 1994).

^d (L'Abate, 1994).

^e Cusinato-Maino-Scilletta Likeness Questionnaire (L'Abate, 2005).

^f Problems in Relationships Scale (L'Abate, 1992, 1996; McMahan & L'Abate, 2001).

^g Self-Other Profile Chart (L'Abate, 1992, 1994, 2001, 2002; L'Abate & De Giacomo, 2003).

^h Dyadic Relationships Test (Cusinato & L'Abate, 2003).

^I Priorities Grid (L'Abate, 1994).

^j Priorities Inventoru (L'Abate, 1994).

^k Sharing of Hurts Scale (Stevens & L'Abate, 1989).

*Hugging, Holding, Huddling, & Cuddling (L'Abate & De Giacomo, 2003).