Premium
Object relations and real life relationships: A cross method assessment
Author(s) -
Handelzalts Jonathan E.,
Fisher Shimrit,
Naot Rachel
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1467-9450
pISSN - 0036-5564
DOI - 10.1111/sjop.12102
Subject(s) - object relations theory , psychology , alienation , thematic apperception test , object (grammar) , causality (physics) , psychoanalytic theory , variance (accounting) , social psychology , developmental psychology , test (biology) , romance , rorschach test , cognitive psychology , psychoanalysis , artificial intelligence , computer science , paleontology , physics , accounting , quantum mechanics , political science , law , business , biology
This study examines the relationship between the psychoanalytic concept of object relations and real life behavior of being in an intimate relationship among heterosexual women. In a multi‐method approach we used two different measures; the self‐report Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory ( BORRTI ; Bell, Billington & Becker, [Bell, M., 1986]) and the performance based Thematic Apperception Test ( TAT ) Social Cognition & Object Relations Scale‐ Global Rating Method SCORS ‐G (Westen, [Westen, D, 1995]) to measure the object relations of 60 women. The Alienation subscale of the BORRTI and understanding of social causality subscale of the SCORS ‐G explained 34.8% of variance of the intimate relationship variable. Thus, women involved in a romantic relationship reported lower rates of alienation on the BORRTI and produced TAT narratives that were more adaptive with regard to understanding of social causality as measured by the SCORS ‐G than those not currently in a relationship. Results are discussed with reference to the relationship between object relations and real life measures of healthy individuals and in light of the need for a multi‐method approach of assessment.