Motivational determinants of interpersonal distress: How interpersonal goals are related to interpersonal problems

Abstract

This study aimed to link interpersonal goals with interpersonal problems and psychological distress and to investigate changes in these variables during an inpatient psychotherapeutic treatment. Two hundred and fifty-eight patients treated in a psychosomatic hospital completed the German versions of the Circumplex Scales of Interpersonal Values, the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, and the Outcome Questionnaire before and at the end of their treatment. Patients initially reported a strong need for bonding in the CSIV. Especially interpersonal goals related to avoidant, submissive, and altruistic behavior were associated with a wide range of different interpersonal problems, and were associated with more psychological distress. At the end of treatment, patients showed no substantial changes in their predominant communal goals, but significantly reduced submissive goals. Additionally, changes of these goals were associated with changes of various interpersonal problems and psychological distress. Focusing the value patients place on submissive experiences could help to improve interpersonal problems. © 2012 Copyright Society for Psychotherapy Research.