Operationalized psychodynamic diagnosis: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction The Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD-2) is an operational multiaxial diagnostic assessment and treatment planning tool. This systematic review sought to analyze empirical studies that used the OPD as an instrument. In addition to identifying the studies, we analyzed the topics covered and the results of research that used the OPD empirically. Method Articles, dissertations and empirical theses that mentioned or used the OPD instrument in the last five years (2012-2017) were included in this review. The strategy included searching with combinations of the descriptors “Operationalized and psychodynamic and diagnosis” from the Portal de Periódicos CAPES on the PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate databases for work published in English, Portuguese or Spanish in the last five years. Results The search returned a total of 189 papers, but only 20 were included. The studies selected discussed the validity and reliability of the instrument, the therapeutic process and analysis of outcomes, assessment of different mental disorders, and also included studies comparing different instruments and techniques. Considerable scientific effort has evidently been dedicated to accumulating more consistent data on psychodynamic diagnosis. Conclusion It was demonstrated that the OPD is an essential clinical tool for dimensional comprehension of the subject and for scientific research. However, the number of publications on the subject is not yet significant and the methods employed are diverse. Nevertheless, there is a growing body of data on topics such as applicability in different contexts and to different pathologies, promoting greater visibility and with greater representativeness of professionals who have experience with the instrument.

Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostic of Adolescents in Light of the New ICD-11 Model of Personality Functioning: Personality Structure, Psychodynamic Conflicts, and Mental Health Problems

“…In terms of the already mentioned ongoing need for precise, personalized, and prognostically relevant diagnostics beyond symptomatic manifestations, recently addressed in the new dimensional understanding of personality pathology in the ICD-11 [7], the concepts of personality structure and psychodynamic conflicts have become widely established in the psychiatric and psychotherapeutic practice [21,22]. However, there is a lack of controlled empirical research on personality structure and psychodynamic conflicts concerning different mental health problems in the specific life stage of adolescence as a decisive phase for the early detection and treatment of mental disorders [23,24].…”

Three Dimensional Approaches to Personality Disorders: a Review on Personality Functioning, Personality Structure, and Personality Organization

“…This method makes it possible to quantify structural change on the scale. The OPD-LSIA and the OPD-SQ have been employed in crosssectional and longitudinal studies [93,[95][96][97].…”

Psychodynamic profiles of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in China

“…Together, the OPD system incorporates perspectives of psychoanalysts, psychosomatic medicine, and psychiatrists in psychotherapy research. The OPD system has become a standard tool for psychotherapy assessment in Germany and has been published and used in several research in English, Portuguese or Spanish ( 11 , 12 ). Chinese clinical practitioners introduced and adapted this tool in 2009 ( 13 ), but it has not been applied in the local clinical settings due to uncertainties in distinguishing the latent psychodynamics of psychiatric illnesses and a lack of comprehensive investigations on the psychodynamic formulations of patient populations under Chinese culture.…”