Theresa Wilberg

• Malkomsen, Anders; Røssberg, Jan Ivar; Dammen, Toril; Wilberg, Theresa; Løvgren, André & Ulberg, Randi [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). “It takes time to see the whole picture”: patients’ views on improvement in cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy after three years. Frontiers in Psychiatry. ISSN 1664-0640. 15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1342950.
• Øvstebø, Randi Breivik; Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum; Wilberg, Theresa; Røssberg, Jan Ivar; Dahl, Hanne-Sofie Johnsen & Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit (2023). Countertransference in the treatment of patients with personality disorders: A longitudinal study. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2023.2279645. Full text in Research Archive
• Sveen, Carl-Aksel; Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum; Ulvestad, Dag Anders; Zahl, Kjell-Einar; Wilberg, Theresa & Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit (2023). Societal costs of personality disorders among treatment-seeking patients in Norway: the relative contribution of specific DSM-5 categories. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. ISSN 0940-1334. doi: 10.1007/s00406-023-01655-1. Full text in Research Archive
• Sveen, Carl-Aksel; Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum; Ulvestad, Dag Anders; Zahl, Kjell-Einar; Wilberg, Theresa & Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit (2023). Societal costs of personality disorders: A cross-sectional multicenter study of treatment-seeking patients in mental health services in Norway. Journal of Clinical Psychology. ISSN 0021-9762. 79(8), p. 1752–1769. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23504. Full text in Research Archive
• Wilberg, Theresa; Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum; Bremer, Kjetil; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk & Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit (2023). Combined group and individual therapy for patients with avoidant personality disorder—A pilot study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. ISSN 1664-0640. 14. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1181686. Full text in Research Archive
• Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Frøyhaug, Mathias; Skjeklesæther-Pettersen, Mona; Carlsen, Sara; Ekberg, Andreas & Fjermestad-Noll, Jane [Show all 16 contributors for this article] (2023). Improvement of personality functioning among people treated within personality disorder mental health services. A longitudinal, observational study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. ISSN 1664-0640. 14. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1163347. Full text in Research Archive
• Hummelen, Benjamin; Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene Ulltveit-Moe & Wilberg, Theresa (2022). Is the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders Able to Capture Avoidant Personality Disorder According to Section II of the DSM–5? A Systematic Review. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment. ISSN 1949-2715. 13(4), p. 412–417. doi: 10.1037/per0000553.
• Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum; Wilberg, Theresa; Hummelen, Benjamin & Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit (2022). The Norwegian network for personality disorders–development, contributions and challenges through 30 years. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2022.2147995. Full text in Research Archive
• Zahl, Kjell-Einar; Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum; Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene Ulltveit-Moe; Stänicke, Line Indrevoll; Wilberg, Theresa & Baltzersen, Åse-Line [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2022). Avoidant and borderline personality disorder patients during the first Covid-19 wave in Norway – a survey-based comparison of therapy changes and patients’ accommodations. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2022.2110614. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Patients with personality disorders (PDs) often have insecure attachment patterns and may be especially vulnerable to abrupt treatment changes. Patients with borderline PD (BPD) are often considered vulnerable to treatment interruption due to chronic fear of abandonment. Nonetheless, other PDs are poorly investigated. In the first Covid-19 wave in Norway, in-person treatment facilities and group treatments were strongly restricted from March 12th until May/June 2020. Objectives To examine and compare changes in outpatient treatment for patients with avoidant (AvPD) and BPD during the first Covid-19 wave in Norway, and patients’ reactions to these changes. Methods The study is based on a cross-sectional survey distributed to 1120 patients referred to 12 different PD treatment units on a specialist mental health service level within the Norwegian Network for Personality Disorders. The survey included questions on treatment situation, immediate reactions, and changes during the crisis. From 133 responders (response rate 12%), 40 patients reported BPD and 30 AvPD as diagnosis. Results All patients were followed up from their therapist after March 12th. Almost all patients in both groups expressed satisfaction under the new circumstances. Both groups experienced the same regularity as before, but more AvPD patients reported less than weekly consultations. AvPD patients reported more negative feelings about changes in therapy, and missed the therapy and group members more than the BPD group. Conclusion After the lockdown, BPD patients received a closer follow-up than AvPD patients, and the latter reported more negative feelings related to change in their treatment situation.

• Ulvestad, Dag Anders; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum & Wilberg, Theresa (2022). A borderline focused Reflective Functioning measure–Interrater reliability of the Mentalization Breakdown Interview. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2022.2123040. Full text in Research Archive
• Malkomsen, Anders; Røssberg, Jan Ivar; Dammen, Toril; Wilberg, Theresa; Løvgren, André & Ulberg, Randi [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). How therapists in cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic therapy reflect upon the use of metaphors in therapy: a qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry. ISSN 1471-244X. 22(1). doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-04083-y. Full text in Research Archive
• Stänicke, Line Indrevoll; Arnevik, Espen Ajo; Pettersen, Mona Skjeklesæther; Baltzersen, Åse-Line; Zahl, Kjell-Einar & Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene Ulltveit-Moe [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2022). The importance of feeling remembered during the Covid-19 crisis–A qualitative study of experiences among patients with personality disorders. Nordic Psychology. ISSN 1901-2276. doi: 10.1080/19012276.2022.2062038.
• Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Zahl, Kjell_Einar; Stänicke, Line Indrevoll; Pettersen, MS; Baltzersen, Åse-Line & Johansen, Merete Selsbakk [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2021). Vulnerability of personality disorder during COVID-19 crises: a multicenter survey of mental and social distress among patients referred to treatment. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2021.1942980..
• Pettersen, Mona Skjeklesæther; Moen, Anne; Børøsund, Elin & Wilberg, Theresa (2021). Therapists’ experiences with mentalization-based treatment for avoidant personality disorder. European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy (EJQRP). ISSN 1756-7599. 11, p. 143–159. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum; Normann, Eivind; Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene Ulltveit-Moe; Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit & Wilberg, Theresa (2021). Psychometric evaluation of the Norwegian Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in a multi-site clinical sample of patients with personality disorders and personality problems. Journal of Clinical Psychology. ISSN 0021-9762. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23270. Full text in Research Archive
• Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Zahl, Kjell_Einar; Stänicke, Line Indrevoll; Pettersen, Mona Skjeklesæther; Baltzersen, Åse-Line & Johansen, Merete Selsbakk [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2021). Vulnerability of personality disorder during the Covid-19 crises – a multicenter survey of treatment experiences among patients referred to treatment. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. 76(1), p. 52–63. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2021.1934110. Full text in Research Archive
• Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Klungsøyr, Ole; Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum & Wilberg, Theresa (2021). A Longitudinal, Observational Study Investigating Predictors of Change in a Clinical Sample. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment. ISSN 1949-2715. doi: 10.1037/per0000471.
• Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Wilberg, Theresa; Folmo, Espen; Burlingame, Gary M. & Lorentzen, Steinar (2021). The Group Questionnaire (GQ)—Psychometric Properties Among Outpatients With Personality Disorders. Group Dynamics. ISSN 1089-2699. doi: 10.1037/gdn0000176. Full text in Research Archive
• Malkomsen, Anders; Røssberg, J.I.; Dammen, T.; Wilberg, T.; Løvgren, A. & Ulberg, R. [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Digging down or scratching the surface: how patients use metaphors to describe their experiences of psychotherapy. BMC Psychiatry. ISSN 1471-244X. 21(1), p. 1–12. doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03551-1. Full text in Research Archive
• Paap, Muirne C. S.; Heltne, Aleksander; Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Germans Selvik, Sara; Frans, Niek & Wilberg, Theresa [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). More Is More: Evidence for the Incremental Value of the SCID-II/SCID-5-PD Specific Factors Over and Above a General Personality Disorder Factor. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment. ISSN 1949-2715. 13(2), p. 108–118. doi: 10.1037/per0000426.
• Malkomsen, Anders; Røssberg, Jan Ivar; Dammen, Toril; Wilberg, Theresa; Løvgren, André & Evensen, Julie Horgen (2021). The synergistic process of improvement in cognitive behavioral therapy for major depression. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH). ISSN 1661-7827. 18(5), p. 1–17. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052292. Full text in Research Archive
• Røssberg, Jan Ivar; Evensen, Julie Horgen; Dammen, Toril; Wilberg, Theresa; Klungsøyr, Ole & Jones, Maria-Helene [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2021). Mechanisms of change and heterogeneous treatment effects in psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychology. ISSN 2050-7283. 9, p. 1–14. doi: 10.1186/s40359-021-00517-6. Full text in Research Archive
• Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Folmo, Espen Jan; Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Norman-Eide, Eivind; Pedersen, Geir Arild Feigum & Wilberg, Theresa (2020). Social Cognition Capacities as Predictors of Outcome in Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT). Frontiers in Psychiatry. ISSN 1664-0640. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00691.
• Simonsen, Sebastian; Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene Ulltveit-Moe; Bach, Bo; Kvarstein, Elfrida H; Gondan, Matthias & Bjerrum Møller, Stine [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Level of alexithymia as a measure of personality dysfunction in avoidant personality disorder. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2020.1841290.
• Kvarstein, Elfrida H; Folmo, Espen; Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Normann, Eivind; Pedersen, Geir & Wilberg, Theresa (2020). Social Cognition Capacities as Predictors of Outcome in Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT). Frontiers in Psychiatry. ISSN 1664-0640. 11, p. 1–12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00691. Full text in Research Archive
• Paap, Muirne C.S.; Hummelen, Benjamin; Braeken, Johan; Arnevik, Espen Kristian Ajo; Walderhaug, Espen & Wilberg, Theresa [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2020). A multi-center psychometric evaluation of the Severity Indices of Personality Problems 118 (SIPP-118): Do we really need all those facets? Quality of Life Research. ISSN 0962-9343. 30(2), p. 567–575. doi: 10.1007/s11136-020-02654-8. Full text in Research Archive
• Sørensen, Kristine Dahl; Wilberg, Theresa; Berthelsen, Eivind & Råbu, Marit (2020). Subjective experience of the origin and development of avoidant personality disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology. ISSN 0021-9762. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23013. Full text in Research Archive
• Breivik, Randi; Wilberg, Theresa; Evensen, Julie Horgen; Røssberg, Jan Ivar; Dahl, Hanne-Sofie Johnsen & Pedersen, Geir Feigum (2020). Countertransference feelings and personality disorders: a psychometric evaluation of a brief version of the Feeling Word Checklist (FWC-BV). BMC Psychiatry. ISSN 1471-244X. 20(1), p. 1–12. doi: 10.1186/s12888-020-02556-6. Full text in Research Archive
• Sørensen, Kristine Dahl; Wilberg, Theresa; Berthelsen, Eivind & Råbu, Marit (2019). Lived Experience of Treatment for Avoidant Personality Disorder: Searching for Courage to Be. Frontiers in Psychology. ISSN 1664-1078. 10. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02879. Full text in Research Archive
• Arnevik, Espen Kristian Ajo; Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Walderhaug, Espen; Lien, Ingebjørg Aspeland; Wilberg, Theresa & Hummelen, Benjamin (2019). Measuring personality problems in patients with substance use disorders: A cross-sample validation. Journal of Dual Diagnosis (JDD). ISSN 1550-4263. 15(4), p. 324–332. doi: 10.1080/15504263.2019.1668583.
• Simonsen, Sebastian; Bateman, Anthony; Bohus, Martin; Dalewijk, Henk-Jan; Doering, Stephan. & Kaera, Andres [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2019). European guidelines for personality disorders: past, present and future. Borderline personality disorder and emotion dysregulation (BPDED). ISSN 2051-6673. doi: 10.1186/s40479-019-0106-3. Full text in Research Archive
• Normann, Eivind; Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Kvarstein, Elfrida H; Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Vaskinn, Anja & Wilberg, Theresa (2019). Are impairments in theory of mind specific to borderline personality disorder? Journal of Personality Disorders. ISSN 0885-579X. 34(6), p. 827–841. doi: 10.1521/pedi_2019_33_417. Full text in Research Archive
• Kvarstein, Elfrida H; Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Folmo, Espen; Urnes, Øyvind; Hummelen, Benjamin & Wilberg, Theresa [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2019). Mentalization-based treatment or psychodynamic treatment programs for patients with borderline personality disorder – the impact of clinical severity. . Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. ISSN 1476-0835. 92(1), p. 91–111. doi: 10.1111/papt.12179. Full text in Research Archive
• Wilberg, Theresa (2018). The neurobiological basis of avoidant personality disorder. In Schmahl, Christian; Phan, K. Luan & Friedel, Robert O. (Ed.), Neurobiology of personality disorders. Oxford University Press. ISSN 9780199362318. doi: 10.1093/med/9780199362318.003.0015.
• Sørensen, Kristine Dahl; Råbu, Marit; Wilberg, Theresa & Berthelsen, Eivind (2018). Struggling to be a person: Lived experience of avoidant personality disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology. ISSN 0021-9762. 1(17), p. 1–17. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22740.
• Mehlum, Lars; Bateman, Anthony; Dalewijk, Henk-Jan; Doering, Stephan.; Kaera, Andres & Moran, Paul [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2018). Building a strong European alliance for personality disorder research and intervention. Borderline personality disorder and emotion dysregulation (BPDED). ISSN 2051-6673. doi: 10.1186/s40479-018-0082-z.
• Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Karterud, Sigmund; Normann, Eivind; Rø, Frida Gullestad; Kvarstein, Elfrida H & Wilberg, Theresa (2018). The relationship between reflective functioning and affect consciousness in patients with avoidant and borderline personality disorders. Psychoanalytic psychology. ISSN 0736-9735. 35(4), p. 382–393. doi: 10.1037/pap0000169.
• Simonsen, Sebastian; Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene; Nørgaard, Nana Lund; Normann, Eivind; Juul, Sophie & Wilberg, Theresa (2018). Specialized Treatment for Patients with Severe Avoidant Personality Disorder: Experiences from Scandinavia. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. ISSN 0022-0116. p. 1–12. doi: 10.1007/s10879-018-9395-x.
• Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Urnes, Øyvind; Hummelen, Benjamin; Wilberg, Theresa & Kvarstein, Elfrida H (2018). Revised manual for the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. European psychiatry. ISSN 0924-9338. 51, p. 16–19. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.12.028.
• Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Arnevik, Espen Kristian; Hummelen, Benjamin; Walderhaug, Espen & Wilberg, Theresa (2017). Psychometric properties of the severity indices of personality problems (sipp) in two samples a norwegian community sample and clinical samples of patients with and without personality disorders. European Journal of Psychological Assessment. ISSN 1015-5759. 35(5), p. 698–711. doi: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000436. Full text in Research Archive
• Paap, Muirne C. S.; Braeken, Johan; Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Urnes, Øyvind; Karterud, Sigmund & Wilberg, Theresa [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2017). A Psychometric Evaluation of the DSM-IV Criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder: Dimensionality, Local Reliability, and Differential Item Functioning Across Gender. Assessment (ASM). ISSN 1073-1911. doi: 10.1177/1073191117745126. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Kvarstein, Elfrida H & Wilberg, Theresa (2017). The Work and Social Adjustment Scale: Psychometric properties and validity among males and females, and outpatients with and without personality disorders. Personality and Mental Health. ISSN 1932-8621. 11(4), p. 215–228. doi: 10.1002/pmh.1382.
• Klungsøyr, Ole; Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske & Wilberg, Theresa (2017). Contours of a causal feedback mechanism between adaptive personality and psychosocial function in patients with personality disorders: A secondary analysis from a randomized clinical trial. BMC Psychiatry. ISSN 1471-244X. 17:210, p. 1–13. doi: 10.1186/s12888-017-1365-4.
• Kvarstein, Elfrida H; Nordviste, Ola; Dragland, Lone Irene & Wilberg, Theresa (2017). Outpatient psychodynamic group psychotherapy – outcomes related to personality disorder, severity, age and gender. Personality and Mental Health. ISSN 1932-8621. 11(1), p. 37–50. doi: 10.1002/pmh.1352.
• Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Kvarstein, Elfrida H; Urnes, Øyvind; Hummelen, Benjamin; Karterud, Sigmund & Wilberg, Theresa (2017). Favourable outcome of long-term combined psychotherapy for patients with borderline personality disorder: Six-year follow-up of a randomized study. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 27(1), p. 51–63. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2015.1072283.
• Karterud, Sigmund; Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Johansen, Merete; Wilberg, Theresa; Davis, Ken & Pankseep, Jaak (2016). Primary emotional traits in patients with personality disorders. Personality and Mental Health. ISSN 1932-8621. 10(10), p. 261–273. doi: 10.1002/pmh.1345.
• Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Rø, Frida Gullestad; Kvarstein, Elfrida H & Wilberg, Theresa (2016). Is reflective functioning associated with clinical symptoms and long-term course in patients with personality disorders? Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 64, p. 46–58. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.05.016. Show summary

  Objective Mentalization is the capacity to understand behavior as the expression of various mental states and is assumed to be important in a range of psychopathologies, especially personality disorders (PDs). The first aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between mentalization capacity, operationalized as reflective functioning (RF), and clinical manifestations before entering study treatment. The second aim was to investigate the relationship between baseline RF and long-term clinical outcome both independent of treatment (predictor analyses) and dependent on treatment (moderator analyses). Methods Seventy-nine patients from a randomized clinical trial (Ullevål Personality Project) who had borderline and/or avoidant PD were randomly assigned to either a step-down treatment program, comprising short-term day-hospital treatment followed by outpatient combined group and individual psychotherapy, or to outpatient individual psychotherapy. Patients were evaluated on variables including symptomatic distress, psychosocial functioning, personality functioning, and self-esteem at baseline, 8 and 18 months, and 3 and 6 years. Results RF was significantly associated with a wide range of variables at baseline. In longitudinal analyses RF was not found to be a predictor of long-term clinical outcome. However, when considering treatment type, there were significant moderator effects of RF. Patients with low RF had better outcomes in outpatient individual therapy compared to the step-down program. In contrast, patients in the medium RF group achieved better results in the step-down program. Conclusion These findings indicate that RF is associated with core aspects of personality pathology and capture clinically relevant phenomena in adult patients with PDs. Moreover, patients with different capacities for mentalization may need different kinds of therapeutic approaches.

• Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene; Pedersen, Geir Feigum & Wilberg, Theresa (2016). Attachment styles in patients with avoidant personality disorder compared with social phobia. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. ISSN 1476-0835. 89(3), p. 245–260. doi: 10.1111/papt.12075.
• Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Normann, Eivind; Normann-Eide, Tone; Klungsøyr, Ole; Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit & Wilberg, Theresa (2016). Relationship Between Affect Consciousness and Personality Functioning in Patients With Personality Disorders: A Prospective Study. Journal of Personality Disorders. ISSN 0885-579X. 30(5), p. 633–652. doi: 10.1521/pedi_2015_29_220.
• Normann, Eivind; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Normann-Eide, Tone; Egeland, Jens & Wilberg, Theresa (2015). Personality Disorder and Changes in Affect Consciousness: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study of Patients with Avoidant and Borderline Personality Disorder. PLOS ONE. ISSN 1932-6203. 10(12). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145625.
• Lorentzen, Steinar; Wilberg, Theresa & Martinsen, Egil Wilhelm (2015). Group psychotherapy in Norway. International journal of group psychotherapy. ISSN 0020-7284. 65(4), p. 543–551. doi: 10.1521/ijgp.2015.65.4.543.
• Vaskinn, Anja; Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Fretland, Ragnhild Avdem; Dziobek, Isabel; Sundet, Kjetil Søren & Wilberg, Theresa (2015). Theory of mind in women with borderline personality disorder or schizophrenia: differences in overall ability and error patterns. Frontiers in Psychology. ISSN 1664-1078. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01239. Full text in Research Archive
• Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene; Egeland, Jens; Hummelen, Benjamin & Wilberg, Theresa (2015). Avoidant personality disorder versus social phobia: The significance of childhood neglect. PLOS ONE. ISSN 1932-6203. 10(3). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122846.
• Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene; Urnes, Øyvind; Skulberg, Guro Mikaelsen & Wilberg, Theresa (2015). Experiences in Close Relationships - Psychometric properties among patients with personality disorders. Personality and Mental Health. ISSN 1932-8621. 9(3), p. 208–219. doi: 10.1002/pmh.1298. Show summary

  Patients with personality disorders represent maladaptive attachment strategies, influencing the quality of their interpersonal relationships. Within these patient populations, it is important to have a measure, easily applied, to assess such strategies. A widely used instrument is Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR), assessing two constructs called avoidance and anxiety. Lately, two short forms of ECR have been proposed, called ECR-S and ECR-N12. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychometric properties of the Norwegian @version of ECR and its two short forms in a sample of patients with mainly personality disorders. An internal consistency and confirmatory factor analysis of ECR, ECR-S and ECR-N12 from 495 patients was conducted, as well as an exploratory factor analysis of ECR. The internal consistency of ECR was found questionable. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a poor model fit based on ECR and ECR-S. The ECR-N12 revealed a mediocre fit, indicating a potential for improvement. Exploratory factor analysis indicated two different aspects of avoidance and three aspects of anxiety. This five-factor solution was called ECR-FF. Inferences from scores based on ECR should be derived with care. A revision of ECR and ECR-N12 is warranted, and further studies are needed to investigate the validity of ECR-FF.

• Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Urnes, Øyvind; Hummelen, Benjamin; Wilberg, Theresa & Karterud, Sigmund (2015). Changing from a traditional psychodynamic treatment programme to mentalization-based treatment for patients with borderline personality disorder - Does it make a difference? Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. ISSN 1476-0835. 88(1), p. 71–86. doi: 10.1111/papt.12036.
• Hummelen, Benjamin; Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Wilberg, Theresa & Karterud, Sigmund (2015). Poor validity of the DSM IV schizoid personality disorder construct as a diagnostic category. Journal of Personality Disorders. ISSN 0885-579X. 29(3), p. 334–346. doi: 10.1521/pedi_2014_28_159.
• Wilberg, Theresa; Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit & Røvik, Jan Ole (2014). Pasienter med personlighetsforstyrrelse i avtalepraksis. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 134(23/24), p. 2267–2271. doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.13.1581.
• Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Wilberg, Theresa & Karterud, Sigmund (2014). Testing different versions of the affective neuroscience personality scales in a clinical sample. PLOS ONE. ISSN 1932-6203. 9(10). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109394.
• Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Klungsøyr, Ole; Kamps, Anne; Hummelen, Benjamin; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk & Pedersen, Geir Feigum [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2014). Step-down versus outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment for personality disorders: 6-year follow-up of the Ullevål personality project. BMC Psychiatry. ISSN 1471-244X. 14(119). doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-14-119.
• Karterud, Sigmund; Pedersen, Pedersen Feigum; Engen, Magnus Johan; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Johansson, Paul Niklas & Schlüther, Christian [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2013). The MBT Adherence and Competence Scale (MBT-ACS): Development, structure and reliability. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 23(6), p. 705–717. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2012.708795.
• Normann, Eivind; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Normann-Eide, Tone; Egeland, Jens & Wilberg, Theresa (2013). Is low affect consciousness related to the severity of psychopathology? A cross-sectional study of patients with avoidant and borderline personality disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 54(2), p. 149–157. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.07.003.
• Gullestad, Frida Slagstad; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Høglend, Per Andreas; Karterud, Sigmund & Wilberg, Theresa (2013). Mentalization as a moderator of treatment effects: Findings from a randomized clinical trial for personality disorders. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 23(6), p. 674–689. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2012.684103.
• Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Normann, Eivind; Normann-Eide, Tone & Wilberg, Theresa (2013). Emotional dysfunction in avoidant compared to borderline personality disorder: A study of affect consciousness. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. ISSN 0036-5564. 54(6), p. 515–521. doi: 10.1111/sjop.12076.
• Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Arnevik, Espen Kristian; Halsteinli, Vidar; Rø, Frida Gullestad; Karterud, Sigmund & Wilberg, Theresa (2013). Health service costs and clinical gains of psychotherapy for personality disorders: a randomized controlled trial of day-hospital-based step-down treatment versus outpatient treatment at a specialist practice. BMC Psychiatry. ISSN 1471-244X. 13(315). doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-13-315. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Karterud, Sigmund; Hummelen, Benjamin & Wilberg, Theresa (2013). The impact of extended longitudinal observation for assessment of personality disorders. Personality and Mental Health. ISSN 1932-8621. 7(4), p. 277–287. doi: 10.1002/pmh.1234.
• Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene; Hummelen, Benjamin; Abrahamsen, Gun; Andrea, Helene & Wilberg, Theresa (2013). Personality functioning in patients with avoidant personality disorder and social phobia. Journal of Personality Disorders. ISSN 0885-579X. 27(6), p. 746–763. doi: 10.1521/pedi_2013_27_109.
• Bakali, Jan Vegard; Wilberg, Theresa; Klungsøyr, Ole & Lorentzen, Steinar (2013). Development of Group Climate in Short- and Long-Term Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy. International journal of group psychotherapy. ISSN 0020-7284. 63(3), p. 366–393. doi: 10.1521/ijgp.2013.63.3.366.
• Wilberg, Theresa (2012). Avoidant personality, cluster A traits and Taijin kyofusho: Deconstructing a treatment resistant socially fearful young man: A commentary on a case by Maruta et al. Personality and Mental Health. ISSN 1932-8621. 6(3), p. 276–278. doi: 10.1002/pmh.1209.
• Gullestad, Frida Slagstad; Wilberg, Theresa; Klungsøyr, Ole; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Urnes, Øyvind & Karterud, Sigmund (2012). Is treatment in a day hospital step-down program superior to outpatient individual psychotherapy for patients with personality disorders? 36 months follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing different treatment modalities. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 22(4), p. 426–441. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2012.662608.
• Gullestad, Frida Slagstad & Wilberg, Theresa (2011). Change in reflective functioning during psychotherapy-A single-case study. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 21(1), p. 97–111. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2010.525759.
• Bakali, Jan-Vegard; Wilberg, Theresa; Hagtvet, Knut Arne & Lorentzen, Steinar (2010). Sources accounting for alliance and cohesion at three stages in group psychotherapy: Variance component analyses. Group Dynamics. ISSN 1089-2699. 14(4), p. 368–383. doi: 10.1037/a0019170.
• Arnevik, Espen Kristian; Wilberg, Theresa; Urnes, Øyvind; Johansen, Merete Selsbakk; Monsen, Jon Trygve & Karterud, Sigmund (2010). Psychotherapy for persoality disorders: 18 months' follow-up of the Ullevål Personality Project. Journal of Personality Disorders. ISSN 0885-579X. 24, p. 188–203. doi: 10.1521/pedi.2010.24.2.188.
• Arnevik, Espen Kristian; Wilberg, Theresa; Urnes, Øyvind; Johansen, Merete; Monsen, Jon Trygve & Karterud, Sigmund (2010). PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR PERSONALITY DISORDERS: 18 MONTHS' FOLLOW-UP OF THE ULLEVAL PERSONALITY PROJECT. Journal of Personality Disorders. ISSN 0885-579X. 24(2), p. 188–203.
• Wilberg, Theresa; Karterud, Sigmund; Pedersen, Geir; Urnes, Øyvind & Costa, PT (2009). Nineteen-Month Stability of Revised NEO Personality Inventory Domain and Facet Scores in Patients With Personality Disorders. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. ISSN 0022-3018. 197(3), p. 187–195. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181923fa0.
• Arnevik, Espen Kristian; Wilberg, Theresa; Urnes, Øyvind; Johansen, Merete; Monsen, Jon Trygve & Karterud, Sigmund (2009). Psychotherapy for personality disorders: Short-term day hospital psychotherapy versus outpatient individual therapy - a randomized controlled study. European psychiatry. ISSN 0924-9338. 24(2), p. 71–78. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2008.09.004.
• Wilberg, Theresa; Karterud, Sigmund; Pedersen, Geir & Urnes, Øyvind (2009). The impact of avoidant personality disorder on psychosocial impairment is substantial. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. 63(5), p. 390–396. doi: 10.1080/08039480902831322.
• Arnevik, Espen Kristian; Wilberg, Theresa; Monsen, Jon Trygve; Andrea, Helene & Karterud, Sigmund (2009). A cross-national validity study of the Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP-118). Personality and Mental Health. ISSN 1932-8621. 3(1), p. 41–55. doi: 10.1002/pmh.60.
• Wilberg, Theresa; Hummelen, Benjamin; Pedersen, Geir Feigum & Karterud, Sigmund (2008). A study of patients with personality disorder not otherwise specified. Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 49(5), p. 460–468. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2007.12.008.
• Hummelen, Benjamin; Wilberg, Theresa; Pedersen, G & Karterud, Sigmund (2008). The quality of the DSM-IV obsessive-compulsive personality disorder construct as a prototype category. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. ISSN 0022-3018. 196. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181775a4e.
• Lynum, Linn Ingunn; Wilberg, Theresa & Karterud, S. (2008). Self-esteem in patients with borderline and avoidant personality disorders. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. ISSN 0036-5564. 49(5), p. 469–477. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9450.2008.00655.x. Show summary

  This study compared self-esteem in patients with avoidant personality disorder (APD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Patients diagnosed with one or more personality disorders answered the questionnaire Index of Self Esteem as part of a comprehensive evaluation within the setting of a treatment trial. Our hypotheses were that (1) both patients with APD and patients with BPD would report low levels of self-esteem, (2) patients with APD would report lower self-esteem than patients with BPD. We further expected that (3) patients with higher levels of depression would report lower levels of self-esteem, but that (4) both borderline and avoidant personality pathology would contribute to explained variance in self-esteem beyond what would be accounted for by depression. All of our hypotheses were supported. The results from our study showed a significant difference in self-esteem level between the two personality disorders, patients with APD reporting lower self-esteem than patients with BPD. Subjects with both disorders were measured to have self-esteem levels within the range that presumes clinical problems. Self-esteem represents an important quality of subjective experience of the self, and the study of self-esteem in PDs can offer new and important knowledge of PDs as self-pathology.

• Karterud, Sigmund; Johansen, Merete & Wilberg, Theresa (2007). Conjoint group and individual psychotherpay in a research trial for patients with severe personality disorders. Group. ISSN 0362-4021. p. 31–46.
• Hummelen, Benjamin; Wilberg, Theresa & Karterud, Sigmund (2007). An Interview study of female patients with borderline personality disorders who dropped out of group psychoterapy. International journal of group psychotherapy. ISSN 0020-7284. 57, p. 67–91.
• Hummelen, Benjamin; Wilberg, Theresa; Pedersen, Geir & Karterud, Sigmund (2007). The relationship between avoidant personality disorder and social phobia. Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 48, p. 348–356.
• Hummelen, Benjamin; Wilberg, Theresa; Pedersen, Geir & Karterud, Sigmund (2006). An investigation of the prototype validity of the Diagnostic and Statictical Manual of Mental Disoroders, Fourth Edition avoidant personality disorder construct as a protoype category and the psychometric properties of the diagnostic criteria. Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 47, p. 376–383.
• Karterud, Sigmund; Wilberg, Theresa & Urnes, T. (2005). Complex and diverse, yet similar ? In Maj, Mario (Eds.), Evidence and experince in psychiatry. Vol. 8. Personality disorders. John Wiley & Sons. p. 243–245.
• Wilberg, Theresa; Karterud, Sigmund; Pedersen, G; Urnes, Øyvind; Irion, T & Brabrand, J [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2004). Outpatient group psychotherapy following day treatment for patients with personality disorders. Journal of Personality Disorders. ISSN 0885-579X. 17, p. 510–521.
• Karterud, Sigmund & Wilberg, Theresa (2002). Amerikanske retningslinjer for behandling av borderline personlighetsforstyrrelse. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 122(20), p. 2028–2029.
• Chiesa, Marco; Bateman, Anthony; Wilberg, Theresa & Friis, Svein (2002). Patients' characteristics outcome and cost-benefit of hospital-based treatment for patients with personality disorder: A comparison of three different programmes. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. ISSN 1476-0835. 75, p. 381–392. Show summary

  In this study we aimed (A) ascertain whether a relationship exists between different treatment programmes and settings for personality disorder and patient characteristics; (b)to give an indication of treatment contexts; and (c) to compare costs in relation to outcomes. We collected and compared three samples from one in-patient site (Casel in England) and two day hospitals (Halliwick in England and Ulleval in Norway) on a number of demographic, diagostic and other key clinical variables. Outcome in the areas of symptom severity (Symptom Checklist-90-R)and social adaptation (Social Adjustment Scale) was evaluated by comparing admission with discharge scores. Treatment costs for each sample were also estimated and compared. Significant differences were found on most baseline variables across the three sites. In general with regard to severity of psychopathology, the Halliwick sample was the most disturbed, Ulleval the least, with Cassel somewhat in between. No significant differences in improvement were found among the three sites, but treatment costs were considerably higher than in the two day centres. The diffrences found in the three samples bear no clear relationship to context of treatment. These results suggest that referral of personality disorder for in-patient or day hospital treatment is less influenced by severity of problem than had previosly been suposed and may depend more on availability of treatment facility.

• Wilberg, Theresa (2002). Modeller for forståelse av personlighetspatologi. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 122(1), p. 54–58.

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• Wilberg, Theresa & Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene Ulltveit-Moe (2022). Å ønske, men ikke våge Om engstelig unnvikende personlighetsproblemer. Gyldendal Norsk Forlag A/S. ISBN 9788205554641. 264 p.
• Karterud, Sigmund; Urnes, Øyvind & Wilberg, Theresa (2017). Personlighetspsykiatri. Gyldendal Norsk Forlag A/S. ISBN 9788205494626. 533 p.
• Karterud, Sigmund; Wilberg, Theresa & Urnes, Øyvind (2010). Personlighetspsykiatri. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISBN 978-82-05-39210-6. 538 p.

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• Sørensen, Kristine Dahl; Wilberg, Theresa & Bremer, Kjetil (2021). Subjective experiences of change after attending a treatment program for avoidant personality disorder.
• Homqvist, Rolf; Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Jørgensen, Carsten René; Broberg, Anders; Gustavsson, Per & Hau, Stephan [Show all 17 contributors for this article] (2017). Enfäldiga riktlinjer för behandling av depression. Dagens nyheter. ISSN 1101-2447.
• Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene; Wilberg, Theresa & Urnes, Øyvind (2011). Experiences in close relationships in patients with Avoidant Personality Disorder and Social Phobia. Show summary

  Aims: Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD) is one of the most prevalent personality disorders in clinical settings as well as in the general population. Despite evidence that APD is associated with significant psychosocial impairment and poor treatment progress, there is still little research that focuses directly on APD. A main hypothesis is that APD is a more severe form of Social Phobia (SP); the so called “severity continuum hypotheses”. However, results from later research do not uniformly support this hypothesis and more studies are needed. This study is part of a project which aims to provide more knowledge about the core pathology of APD and the relationship between APD and SP. We assume that attachment and adverse childhood experiences will be predictors of APD vs SP. The present study focus on experiences in close relationships. Method: A cross-sectional multi-site study of 91 patients with SP and/or APD, recruited from units treating PDs or anxiety disorders. The patients are assessed by diagnostic interviews, AAI and self report questionnaires, incl. ECR. We will test hypotheses of similarities and differences between APD and SP regarding attachment by use of the ECR, a self-report measure of experiences in close relationships. Results: Preliminary results points to substantial differences in self-pathology and interpersonal functioning, in line with the proposal for DSM-5. Analyzes of the Attachment data are in progress. Conclusions: The results will be presented and discussed.

• Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene; Urnes, Øyvind & Wilberg, Theresa (2011). Attachment patterns in patients with Avoidant Personality Disorder. AAI of two cases coded according to the manuals of Mary Main and Patricia McKinsey Crittenden. Show summary

  Aims: To investigate attachment patterns in Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD). APD is one of the most prevalent personality disorders in clinical settings as well as in the general population. Despite evidence that APD is associated with significant psychosocial impairment and poor treatment progress, there is still little research that focuses directly on APD. We assume that Unsecure Attachment and adverse childhood experiences will be predictors of APD. Method: This is a part of a cross-sectional multi-site study of 91 patients with Social Phobia and/or APD, recruited from units treating PDs or anxiety disorder clinics. They are assessed by diagnostic interviews, AAI and self report questionnaires, incl. ECR (Experiences in close relationships). We will use two cases with APD to compare attachment pattern coded according to the manual of Mary Main vs. Patricia M Crittenden Results: Analyses of the Attachment data are in progress. Conclusions: The results will be presented and discussed.

• Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene & Wilberg, Theresa (2011). Essential Differences between Social Phobia and Avoidant Personality Disorder. Journal of Personality Disorders. ISSN 0885-579X. 25, p. 38–38. doi: 10.1521/pedi.2011.25Supplement37. Show summary

  Aims: Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD) is one of the most prevalent personality disorders in clinical settings as well as in the general population. Despite evidence that APD is associated with significant psychosocial impairment and poor treatment progress, there is still little research that focus directly on APD. A main hypothesis is that APD is a more severe form of Social Phobia (SP); the so called “severity continuum hypotheses”, and it is disputed whether APD should be classified as a PD or belong to SP and axis I. However, results from later research does not uniformly support this hypothesis and more studies are needed. This study aims to provide more knowledge about the core pathology of APD and the relationship between APD and SP. Method: It is a cross-sectional multi-site study of 91 patients with SP and/or APD, recruited from units treating PDs or anxiety disorder clinics. They are assessed by diagnostic interviews and self report questionnaires. We will test hypotheses of similarities and differences between APD and SP regarding extent of psychosocial dysfunction, symptoms, and personality functioning. Results: Preliminary results points to substantial differences in self-pathology, in line with the proposal for DSM-V. Conclusions: The final results will be presented and discussed.

• Wilberg, Theresa & Karterud, Sigmund (2008). Treatment of obsessive-compulsive - disorder in the context of an avoidant personality disorder. Personality and Mental Health. ISSN 1932-8621. p. 110–112.
• Wilberg, Theresa (2006). Clinical utility of dimensional models for personality disorders - Comment on article of R.Vertheul. In Widiger, TA (Eds.), Dimensional models of personality disorder: refining the research agenda for DSM-V. American Psychiatric Association Publishing. ISSN 0890422966.
• Sandahl, C & Wilberg, Theresa (2003). Forsker og terapeut i samme person - Det går an! Steinar Lorentzens avhandling: Long-term analytic group psychotherapy with outpatients. Evaluation of process and change. Matrix. ISSN 0109-646X. p. 305–314.

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