The Effectiveness of Short-Term Object Relations Group Psychotherapy on Ego Strength and Rejection Sensitivity in Students with Dependent Personality Disorder Symptoms

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master’s Student in Clinical Psychology Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

2 Assistant Professor Department of Health Psychology, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

3 Center for Research Development in Clinical Studies, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

10.22038/mjms.2025.26558

Abstract

Introduction: This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of short-term object relations group psychotherapy on ego strength and rejection sensitivity in students exhibiting symptoms of dependent personality disorder.
Methods: The research design was experimental, employing a pretest-posttest control group with a follow-up phase. The statistical population included all individuals showing symptoms of dependent personality disorder who visited counseling centers across Isfahan in the year 1403 (2024–2025). A total of 36 participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group (18 individuals in each group). The experimental group participated in 14 weekly 90-minute sessions of short-term object relations group therapy.
Research instruments included:  Ego Strength Questionnaire by Markstrom (1997) & Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire by Downey and Feldman (1996). These questionnaires were administered at three stages: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. The data were analyzed using SPSS_26 software and processed through repeated measures ANOVA.
Results:  Results indicated that the intervention had a statistically significant effect on ego strength and rejection sensitivity in students with symptoms of dependent personality disorder (P < 0.05). That is, meaningful differences were observed across all research stages.
Conclusion: Short-term object relations psychotherapy can enhance ego strength and reduce rejection sensitivity in individuals with symptoms of dependent personality disorder. It is therefore recommended for use in clinical settings as an effective treatment approach.

Keywords

Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 68, Issue 3
May and June 2025

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