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Cited by 565Personality Disorders and PsychopathologyPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchPsychotherapy Techniques and Applications

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 59 of the 59 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Mentalization: Ontogeny, Assessment, and Application in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder

Choi-Kain, Lois W., Gunderson, John G.·2008·American Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.07081360
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Abstract

This article aims to review the development of the concept of mentalization, its applications in the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder, and the issue of its assessment. While conceptually derivative of theory of mind, Fonagy's concept of mentalization concerns more affectively and interpersonally complex understandings of oneself and others, reflecting abilities that enable an individual not only to navigate the social world effectively but also to develop an enriched, stable sense of self. The components of mentalization can be organized around self-/other-oriented, implicit/explicit, and cognitive/affective dimensions. Concepts of mindfulness, psychological mindedness, empathy, and affect consciousness are shown to partially overlap with mentalization within these three dimensions. Mentalization is assessed by the measure of reflective function, a scale to be used adjunctively on semistructured narrative interviews such as the Adult Attachment Interview. Its validity has not been fully tested, and its usage has been hampered by the time and expense it requires. Although the concept of mentalization is a useful heuristic that enables clinicians to adopt a coherent treatment approach, it may be too broad and multifaceted to be operationalized as a marker for specific forms of psychopathology such as borderline personality disorder. Research elucidating the relationship between reflective function, overlapping concepts, and features of borderline psychopathology is needed.

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Crossref · 10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.07081360

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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 10

  1. Fonagy P, 1991, Int J Psychoanal, 72, 639
  2. Clarkin JF, 1999, Yeomans F
  3. Allen JG, 2008, Fonagy P
  4. Zetzel ER, 1968, Int J Psychoanal, 49, 256
  5. Lecours S, 1997, Int J Psychoanal, 78, 855
  6. Segal H, 1957, Int J Psychoanal, 38, 391
  7. Kohut H, 1971, The Analysis of the Self
  8. Hahn TN, 1976, Miracle of Mindfulness
  9. Appelbaum SA, 1973, Concept and Essence. Int J Psychoanal, 54, 35
  10. Monsen JT, 1999, Progress in Self Psychol, 15, 287

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Metadata

Authors
Choi-Kain, L. W., & Gunderson, J. G.
Affiliations
Harvard University (US)
ORCID
Choi-Kain, Lois W.
Venue
American Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Published
2008-09
Volume
165
Issue
9
Pages
1127-1135
ISSN
  • 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-7228
DOI
10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.07081360
OpenAlex
W2018329493
Cited by
565
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 31 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 50 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 33
FWCI
3.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Keywords
mentalization, borderline personality disorder, theory of mind, reflective functioning, Adult Attachment Interview, mindfulness, psychological mindedness, empathy, self-other orientation, attachment, treatment of borderline personality disorder
MeSH terms
Affect, Borderline Personality Disorder, Cognition Disorders, Consciousness, Culture, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Interview, Psychological, Mental Processes, Object Attachment, Psychological Theory, Severity of Illness Index, Narration

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