Abstract
This study examined whether two therapy interventions – relational reframe followed by empty chair – were associated with increases in sadness intensity and decreases in anger intensity among a sample of 61 undergraduate students suffering from unresolved anger toward an attachment figure (e.g. parent, sibling, and past-romantic partner). Participants underwent a single analog therapy session comprised of three interventions delivered in sequence: empathic focus on their anger; relational reframe; and empty-chair enactment. Participants retrospectively reported on the intensity of their attachment-related anger and sadness during the session using an interpersonal process recall procedure. Results showed that over the course of the relational reframe and empty-chair intervention sequence, sadness intensity increased and anger intensity decreased. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 44-56 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Counselling Psychology Quarterly |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2 Jan 2015 |
Keywords
- anger
- attachment
- empty chair
- intensity
- reframing
- sadness
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Applied Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health