Scientific board
Theresa Wilberg:
M.D, PhD, Chief coordinator.
Sigmund Karterud:
M.D, PhD, Professor.
Torill Irion:
B.A, Unit Director.
Øyvind Urnes:
M.D, Consultant Psychiatrist.
Merete Johansen:
M.D, Consultant Psychiatrist.
Geir Pedersen:
M.A, Research fellow.
Benjamin Hummelen:
M.D, Research fellow.
Espen Arnevik:
M.A, Research fellow.
Frida Gullestad:
M.A, Research fellow.
Hanne S. Dahl:
M.A, Research fellow.
Veslemøy Bull-Njaa:
Secretary.

Cooperating organizations
Ullevål University Hospital:
Psychiatric Division, Oslo, Norway.
University of Oslo (UiO):
Institute of psychiatry, Norway.
Prof. Anthony Bateman:
M.D. St. Ann's Hospital and University College, London, England.
Prof. Roel Verheul:
Ph.D. University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Pat Crittenden:
Ph.D. Miami, U.S.A.
Nuno Torres:
M.A. Research fellow, University of Essex, England.
Prof. Bob Hinshelwood:
University of Essex, England.
Prof. Lars Mehlum:
M.D, PhD. The Suicide Research and Prevention Unit, Oslo, Norway.
Prof. Jon Monsen:
PhD. University of Oslo, Norway.
Per Johan Isdahl:
M.A. Eating disorder unit, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Prof. Finn Skårderud:
M.D. Unit for child and adolescence psychiatry, Oslo, Norway.
Norwegian Institute of group analysis:
Director Thor Kr. Island, M.D. Oslo, Norway.
Vidar Halsteinli:
M.A. SINTEF, Trondheim, Norway.

Ulleval Personality Project (UPP)

A randomised controlled study of intensive day treatment followed by long-term outpatient conjoint individual and group psychotherapy treatment, compared with eclectic individual therapy for poorly functioning patients with personality disorders.

Synopsis | Theoretical frames | Treatment | Goals | Design | Hypotheses | Methods | Schedule | References | Publications | Presentations

Goals and significance of the study

The main goal of the study is to find out whether the experimental treatment has better effect on personality functioning, symptoms, and social functioning as compared to the control treatment. Other goals are to find out whether the changes are related to changes in affect awareness, reflective functioning, and attachment patterns.

Since day hospital treatment and group psychotherapy (alone or combined with individual therapy) currently takes place on a large scale in Norway (and internationally), the study will have great significance for future practice. Especially, in view of the fact that day hospital treatment is an explicit priority area for the National Plan for Mental Health Care in Norway.

The project represents an important step in the further development of a specialised and advanced research unit on personality and personality pathology closely related to clinical activity. This will be in line with the recommendations given by Prof. Per Vaglum, based on a review of the Nordic countries' research on PD during the last 20 years (Vaglum 2000).

Ethics

The patients in the experimental group will receive a comprehensive treatment offer. On an average, the patients in the control group will receive treatment that is better than "treatment as usual", especially by national standards, but also in Oslo. All participation is based on informed consent. The project is approved by The Data Inspectorate and Regional Ethics Committee. No procedures in the project are considered potentially harmful.