Constructing intimacy: Constructivist approaches to assessing quality and process in intimate relationships

Abstract

Constructivist epistemology has had an increasing influence on the practice of psychology and psychotherapy in recent decades, and may be especially valuable in the understanding of interpersonal relationships . In this thesis, the literature on the application of constructivist methods to the structured clinical assessment of couples is reviewed. Philosophical and clinical criteria for developing and evaluating constructivist assessment techniques are proposed. A number of techniques are reviewed. and evaluated in terms of their conceptual value and clinical utility. Directions for further research are suggested.