What does it mean to be a well-functioning individual? This question is central to psychologist Lennart Kiel’s PhD project, which shows that our sense of identity plays a key role. He combines studies of personality features with studies of mental wellbeing before and after treatment.

“A lot of people still experience poor mental health, even when psychologists and doctors have found them to be without symptoms. This suggests that health professionals have overfocussed on symptoms and behaviour and overlooked the fact that personality functioning also affects our mental health,” says Lennart Kiel.

Personality functioning is key to improving our functional capacity

One of his empirical studies showed that personality functioning – not personality features – is the first area to change with short-term psychotherapy. This includes our sense of identity and sense of self – indicators that show which patients will benefit from the treatment and who are at risk of interrupting it.

“Today, health professionals are less inclined to group patients with aberrant behaviour according to specific types of personality disorders – and with good reason. But they should also consider screening patients’ personality functioning, regardless of whether they are suffering from depression, eating disorders or personality disorders, as this would help them identify the level of treatment they need,” says Lennart Kiel.

As assistant professor at Aalborg University, he can continue to do research in the area and monitor patients over a period of time.

Further info

• Read more about the other award winners and watch video with Lennart Kiel