Construct relationships, psychological disorder and therapeutic change

Abstract

The problem of interpretation of construct relationships of abnormal content is considered in the context of the use of the repertory grid to assess therapeutic outcome in neurotics. With a view to providing a rationale for such interpretation, examples are presented of construct relationships indicative of psychopathology, and of predicted changes in them during therapy. Implications for the planning and evaluation of therapy are discussed, and the importance of exploring the personal meaning of the patient's complaints is emphasized.