Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


akron1258136183.pdf (682.99 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Influence of Client Socioeconomic Status on Counselors' Attributional Biases and Objective Countertransference Reactions

Dougall, Jennifer Lara
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1258136183

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Counselor Education and Supervision.
The present study examined the influence of client socioeconomic status (SES) on counselors’ cognitive (attributional biases) and emotional (objective countertransference) reactions. The purpose of the study was to better understand how counselors respond cognitively and emotionally to clients of different SES backgrounds when other demographic and clinical characteristics remain unchanged. A national sample of 141 participants included licensed professional counselors, marriage and family counselors, social workers, counseling psychologists, addiction counselors and counselor-trainees. Data was collected through an internet survey using an analogue-style design employing a client video simulation of the same actor portraying a higher versus lower SES client with the same clinical presentation. Attributional bias was measured by the Clinical Attribution Scale (CAS) (Chen, Froehle, & Morran, 1997) and objective countertransference was measured by the Impact Message Inventory-Circumplex (Brief Version) (IMI-C) (Kiesler & Schmidt, 2006). ANOVA results revealed no significant main effect for participant attributional bias for the lower versus higher SES client simulation. MANOVA results for the IMI-C subscales revealed a statistically significant difference on the Dominant IMI-C subscale. Participants viewing the higher SES client simulation rated the client as interpersonally impacting them in a dominant way compared to those viewing the lower SES client. Using a clinical judgment questionnaire, exploratory follow-up t-tests revealed that participants viewing the higher SES client believed he manifested significantly less severe life problems than the lower SES client. Findings indicate that client SES can impact counselor emotions (objective countertransference) and clinical judgments. Recommendations for counselor education and supervision, counseling theory, and future research are summarized.
Robert Schwartz, Dr. (Advisor)
Paul J. Hartung, PhD (Committee Member)
Kruse D. Sharon, PhD (Committee Member)
Cynthia A. Reynolds, PhD (Committee Member)
James A. Rogers, PhD (Committee Member)
163 p.
Mental Health; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Multicultural Education; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Social Psychology; Therapy
socioeconomic status; attributional bias; countertransference; clinical judgment

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Dougall, J. L. (2010). The Influence of Client Socioeconomic Status on Counselors' Attributional Biases and Objective Countertransference Reactions [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1258136183

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Dougall, Jennifer. The Influence of Client Socioeconomic Status on Counselors' Attributional Biases and Objective Countertransference Reactions. 2010. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1258136183.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Dougall, Jennifer. "The Influence of Client Socioeconomic Status on Counselors' Attributional Biases and Objective Countertransference Reactions." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1258136183

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1258136183
1,269
© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.