Assessing Anaclitic and Introjective Characteristics Using the SWAP‐200 Q‐Sort: Concurrent Validity with the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex Scales
Authors: Miller Racheli , Hilsenroth Mark 
Published: December 2016

This investigation's goal was to assess the concurrent validity of the four scales of the Anaclitic and Introjective Depression Assessment (AIDA), a newly developed clinician‐rated measure, and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex Scales (IIP‐64). The AIDA is composed of Shedler–Westen Assessment Procedure items and is comprised of two primitive and two more mature scales of introjective and anaclitic personality types. Specific predictions of relationships were made and are discussed further in this paper. The participants in this study were 106 outpatients engaged in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Patients completed the IIP‐64 upon assessment and were rated by their therapist on the Shedler–Westen Assessment Procedure 200 (SWAP‐200). The present findings demonstrated several expected relationships between the SWAP‐derived AIDA and the IIP‐64. Primitive levels of Anaclitic and Introjective characteristics on the AIDA were related to more difficulties involving Affiliation and Dominance on the IIP. The primitive Introjective–Dismissive (Dismissive Depression) scale was related to difficulties involving high Dominance and low Affiliation. The more adaptive Introjective–Self‐Critical (Self‐Critical Depression) scale was not related to any interpersonal problem. The more adaptive Anaclitic–Needy (Needy Depression) scale was related to difficulties involving high Affiliation, and the primitive Anaclitic–Submissive (Submissive Depression) scale was associated with difficulties related to high Affiliation, as well as problems related to low Dominance in one of two domains. Our results bolster the concurrent validity of the four AIDA scales and add to current knowledge of the differential interpersonal patterns of individuals with more mature and primitive levels of anaclitic and introjective personality types. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

Clinicians can utilize the Anaclitic and Introjective Depression Assessment (AIDA; Rost, Fonagy, & Luyten, 2014), derived from Shedler‐Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP) items, to assess if their patients possess Anaclitic or Introjective characteristics.

This measure can also be used to assess if the Anaclitic and Introjective characteristics are of a more primitive or mature nature.

Clinicians should be aware that individuals with more primitive levels of Anaclitic and Introjective characteristics experience more difficulties involving Affiliation and Dominance than individuals with more mature levels of personality development.

Specifically, the more primitive Introjective individual will likely encounter difficulties involving high Dominance and low Affiliation. The more adaptive Introjective individual will likely not demonstrate difficulties in these areas.

The more primitive Anaclitic individual will likely encounter more difficulties related to high Affiliation, as well as problems related to low Dominance. The more adaptive Anaclitic individual also likely will encounter difficulties involving high Affiliation