Unravelling inter-relations within and between psychodynamic constructs and psychopathology using network analysis

Psychodynamic constructs and psychopathology are closely inter-related, but more detailed insight is needed. We investigated these complex inter-relations using network analysis. A Gaussian graphical model in a sample of N = 2232 psychotherapeutic inpatients was estimated. Self-administered questionnaires to assess interpersonal relations (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-32), psychodynamic conflicts (Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis–Conflict Questionnaire), personality functioning (Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis–Structure Questionnaire-Short Form, Inventory of Personality Organization-Short Form), and psychopathology (Brief Symptom Inventory) were utilized. We investigated the network structure, identified the most interrelated psychodynamic constructs and the psychodynamic constructs with the strongest inter-relations to psychopathology, and explored the clustering of all included constructs. Active and passive conflict processing modes were negatively inter-related in most conflicts. Passive conflict processing modes were more strongly related to psychopathology than active ones in all conflicts, apart from the care versus autarky conflict. Identity diffusion shared the strongest inter-relations within psychodynamic constructs. The psychodynamic constructs that were most strongly related to psychopathology were impairments in self-perception and the passive self-worth conflict. Psychopathology and psychodynamic constructs formed distinct clusters. Our results emphasize the relevance of personality functioning within psychodynamic constructs and in relation to psychopathology.