Unconventional metaphors and emotional-cognitive regulation in a metacognitive interpersonal therapy

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between unconventional (i.e., creative) metaphors and emotional-cognitive regulation in a metacognitive interpersonal therapy (MIT). The occurrence of unconventional metaphor was identified using the Metaphor Analysis in Psychotherapy (MAP) model, and emotional-cognitive regulation was assessed by the Therapeutic Cycles Model (TCM). The results showed that the dyad's frequency of unconventional metaphors is significantly related to emotional-cognitive integration, reflective processes and moments of therapeutic engagement based on the quality of such regulation. More specifically, client metaphors were associated with emotional-cognitive integration and moments of therapeutic engagement, while therapist metaphors were associated with reflective processes. The results suggest that unconventional metaphors may be considered markers for different cognitive-emotional regulatory processes and moments of heightened therapeutic work and change in MIT.

Abstract

L’étude investigue la relation entre les métaphores non-conventionnelles (c'est-à-dire créatives) et la régulation émotionnelle-cognitive dans la thérapie interpersonnelle métacognitive (MIT). L'occurrence des métaphores non-conventionnelles a été identifié en utilisant le modèle de l'analyse de métaphore en psychothérapie (MAP), et la régulation émotionnelle-cognitive a été évaluée avec le modèle des cycles thérapeutiques (TCM). Les résultats ont montré que la fréquence dyadique des métaphores non-conventionnelles est significativement reliée à l'intégration émotionnelle-cognitive, aux processus réflectifs et aux moments d'engagement thérapeutique basées sur la qualité de ce type de régulation. Plus spécifiquement, les métaphores des clients étaient associées avec l'intégration émotionnelle-cognitive et les moments d'engagement thérapeutique, alors que les métaphores du thérapeute étaient associées avec les processus réflexifs. Les résultats suggèrent que les métaphores non-conventionnelles peuvent être considérées comme des marqueurs pour différents processus de régulation cognitive-émotionnelle et des moments de travail thérapeutique accru dans la MIT.

Abstract

Diese Studie untersucht den Zusammenhang zwischen unkonventionellen (d. h. kreativen) Metaphern und emotional-kognitiver Regulation in einer metakognitiven interpersonalen Therapie (MIT). Das Auftreten von unkonventionellen Metaphern wurde durch das Metaphor Analysis in Psychotherapy (MAP) Modell bestimmt, während die emotional-kognitive Regulation über das Therapeutic Cycles Model (TCM) erhoben wurde. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Auftretenshäufigkeit von unkonventionellen Metaphern auf Therapeut- und Klientenseite signifikant mit der emotional-kognitiven Integration, reflektierenden Prozessen und Momenten des Therapeutenengagements abhängig von der Qualität der Regulation solcher, zusammenhängt. Klientenmetaphern waren mit emotional-kognitiver Integration und mit Momenten therapeutischen Engagements assoziiert, während Therapeutenmetaphern mit reflektierenden Prozessen assoziiert waren. Die Ergebnisse legen nah, dass unkonventionelle Metaphern als Hinweis auf unterschiedliche kognitiv-emotionale Regulationsprozesse und auf Momente erhöhter therapeutischer Arbeit und Veränderungen in einer MIT herangezogen werden können.

Abstract

Il presente studio indaga la relazione tra metafore insolite (i.e. creative) e regolazione emotiva-cognitiva in una terapia metacognitiva interpersonale (MIT). La presenza di metafore creative è stata identificata utilizzando il modello delle Metaphor Analysis in Psychotherapy (MAP), la regolazione emotiva-cognitiva è stata valutata tramite il modello dei CiCli Terapeutici (TCM). I risultati hanno mostrato come la frequenza delle metafore creative della diade sia significativamente legata all'integrazione emotiva-cognitiva, ai processi riflessivi e ai momenti di coinvolgimento terapeutico basati sulla qualità di questa regolazione. Più in specifico, le metafore del cliente erano associate all'integrazione emotivo-cognitiva e al coinvolgimento terapeutico mentre le metafore del terapeuta erano associate ai processi riflessivi. Questi risultati suggeriscono che le metafore creative possano essere considerate come degli indicatori di diversi processi di regolazione cognitivo-emotiva e momenti di elevato lavoro terapeutico e cambiamento in una terapia metacognitiva interpersonale.

Abstract

Este trabajo investiga la relación entre metáforas poco convencionales (es decir, creativas) y la regulación emocional-cognitiva en una terapia interpersonal metacognitiva (MIT). La aparición de las metáforas poco convencionales fue identificada usando el Modelo de Análisis de Metáforas en Psicoterapia (MPM) y la regulación emocional-cognitiva fue evaluada con el Modelo de los Ciclos Terapéuticos (TCM). Los resultados mostraron que la frecuencia en que la díada utiliza metáforas poco convencionles estuvo asociada significativamente a la integración emocional-cognitiva, los procesos reflectivos y los momentos de involucramiento terapéticos basados en la calidad de dicha regulación. Más específicamente, las metáforas del cliente se asociaron con una integración emocional-cognitiva y momentos de mayor involucramiento emocional en el marco de la pscioterapia, mientras que los momentos en que el terapeuta usó metáforas poco convencionales se asociaron con procesos de reflectividad. Los resultados sugieren que el uso de metáforas poco convencionales puede ser considerado como un marcador de diferentes procesos regulatorios emocional-cognitivos y momentos de intensidad en el trabajo terapéutico y de cambio en las terapias interpersonales metacognitivas.

Abstract

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Marco Casonato for having introduced the first author to the world of metaphors in psychotherapy, the Third Center for Cognitive Psychotherapy in Rome for providing the material analyzed in this study, Dan Pokorny (University of Ulm) for statistical support, and Giancarlo Dimaggio, Giuseppe Nicolò and Antonino Carcione (Third Center for Cognitive Psychotherapy, Rome) for discussing with us the clinical meaning and implications of the findings.

Notes

1. It is important to note that metaphors may be used, especially by psychotic and/or borderline clients, as a defensive maneuver to avoid contact with unpleasant contents during cognitive psychotherapy (Semerari et al., 2003; for a similar idea in other therapeutic orientations, see also Aleksandrowicz, 1962; Siegelman, 1990; Stuart, 1997).

2. Conventional metaphors tend to be the same cross-culturally (e.g., LIFE is conceptualized as JOURNEY in different cultures, such as English, Italian, German, and Spanish) to the extent to which they are motivated by our physical structure, which we all share, and by some cultural factors that may be common to different cultures (Kövecses, 2005). In contrast, unconventional metaphors tend to show a higher degree of cross- and within-cultural variation because they represent the personal and idiosyncratic elaboration of culturally shared conventional metaphors. Thus, issues such as personal history and experiences as well as individual linguistic competencies interact with cultural issues determining the higher degree of variability of unconventional metaphors.

3. A version for the English language is also available.