MST evaluation study 2 on the effectiveness of mentalization-supporting therapy

Mentalization-supporting behavioral therapy (MST) is a variant of cognitive behavioral therapy (Sulz 2021a,b). The aim of mentalization-supporting behavioral therapy is to enable the patients/clients to develop their own theory of mind (ToM), which is still not realistic enough for forming relationships, to such an extent that they can look at their own motives, feelings and thoughts from the outside, comparing it to reality, and can put themselves in the shoes of their attachment figures in such a way that they can empathize with their needs and feelings. In 2021, the first MST evaluation study (Sulz, Brejcha et al. 2023) examined a short metacognitive training with the above mentioned seven modules. The 2nd MST evaluation study reported here is based on this. The focus was to be on emotion tracking. The results correspond to the statements of the disorder and therapy theory of mentalization-supporting behavioral therapy (MST) (Sulz 2021a, b). This assumes that insecure attachment inhibits development and mentalization. Instead, the view of oneself and the world remains undeveloped and unrealistic (no realistic theory of mind). In central matters, the patients stay in the pre-mental affective stage. They make do with a dysfunctional rule of survival that sets commandments and prohibitions affecting the success of the way they lead their life. Even as an adult they still exhibit attachment insecurity. They do not develop enough functional personality traits with personal strengths. In contrast, attachment security in childhood allows a development towards the thinking and empathy stages. With the evolving ability to mentalize emotion regulation is not disrupted by a dysfunctional rule of survival but functional personality traits with personal strengths can develop. Despite the small sample size, clear to high correlations were found that were highly significant. The previous first MST evaluation study showed comparable results. The earlier studies were also able to make these connections visible. Nevertheless, both larger samples and clinical samples comprising patients with mental and psychosomatic disorders are needed if generalizable statements are to be made.