A systemic-constructionist approach to psychopathology: The semantics of phobic, obsessive, eating and mood disorders

This study tests the hypothesis that in the therapeutic conversation with patients with phobic, obsessive–compulsive, eating and mood disorders the semantics of “freedom”, “goodness”, “power” and “belonging” prevails respectively. This hypothesis maintained by Ugazio (1998/in press, 2010) fits in with the line of research on meaning and psychopathology started by Liotti e Guidano (1983). The Family Semantics Grid (FSG; Ugazio, Negri, Fellin, & Di Pasquale, 2009) was applied to the transcripts of the 120 videotaped individual systemic therapies, the first 2 sessions of 60 clients (12 phobic, 12 obsessive–compulsive, 12 with mood disorders and 12 asymptomatic who compose the comparison group). The results confirm this clinical hypothesis: the semantics of “freedom”, “goodness”, “power” and “belonging” prevails respectively in conversation with phobic, obsessive–compulsive, eating and mood disorders clients. The other kinds of semantics prevail instead in the comparison group (patients with life problems). Limitations of this study and future perspectives for both research and clinical practice will be addressed too, especially concerning the analysis of interactive positioning in conversation.