Parallel Change Processes in Envy and the Patient–Therapist Relationship During Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy

Objectives The study focuses on envy as a complex interpersonal affect. It examines variability in patients’ levels of personality organisation, envy, and the therapist-patient relationship in psychodynamic group process. Design : Conducted between 2022 and 2024, the study included a sample of 164 patients treated in 3 half-opened therapeutic groups, the majority of whom were diagnosed with personality or anxiety disorders. Methods The following instruments were used: the Inventory of Personality Organisation (IPO-PL), the Neurotic Personality Questionnaire (NPQ), and the Scale to Assess Therapeutic Relationship (STAR). Results Linear mixed-effects analyses (LMM) were conducted. Regarding personality organisation there were no statistically significant differences across the three therapeutic groups. In all therapy groups the leader–member therapeutic relationship strengthened, and envy levels declined significantly, with modest differences in change trajectories between groups. Conclusions The findings suggest parallel and partially independent change processes, which is of considerable clinical relevance.