Effectiveness of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy on Defense Styles, Alexithymia, and Parent–Child Relationship Quality in Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Fatemeh Hosseini Taghiabadi

Authors

Fatemeh Hosseini Taghiabadi M.A. Department of Clinical Psychology, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran. Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5820-7499

Keywords:

adolescence, psychodynamic psychotherapy, defense mechanisms, alexithymia, parent-child relationship, emotional problems, behavioral problems

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in improving defense styles, reducing alexithymia, and enhancing parent–child relationship quality among adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2026 among 40 adolescents aged 13–17 years referred to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic of the Tehran Psychiatric Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences. After eligibility screening, participants were randomly assigned in equal numbers to short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and wait-list control groups. The intervention group received 16 weekly individual psychotherapy sessions, each lasting approximately 50 minutes, while the control group remained on a waiting list. Assessments were conducted at pretest, posttest, and eight-week follow-up. Data were collected using the Defense Style Questionnaire-40, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, and Child–Parent Relationship Scale. Mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate Group × Time interaction effects across the three assessment points. Significant Group × Time interaction effects were observed for mature defense style, F(2, 76) = 38.21, p < .001, ηp² = .501; neurotic defense style, F(2, 76) = 10.01, p < .001, ηp² = .209; immature defense style, F(2, 76) = 30.60, p < .001, ηp² = .446; alexithymia, F(2, 76) = 36.64, p < .001, ηp² = .491; and parent–child relationship quality, F(2, 76) = 34.14, p < .001, ηp² = .473. Secondary analyses also showed significant improvements in closeness, conflict, and dependence dimensions of the parent–child relationship. Most treatment gains were maintained at the eight-week follow-up. Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy was effective in promoting more adaptive defense functioning, reducing alexithymia, and improving parent–child relationship quality among adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems, with most improvements persisting beyond the active treatment period.

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