Countertransference and Psychological Assessment: Direct and Indirect Exposure

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Olivier LaverdièreValérie Simard

Abstract

Countertransference (CT) is usually conceptualized as emerging in the course of psychotherapy. This study explores whether CT manifests itself in the context of assessment and if the modality of exposure to participants (interviewer and observer) affects the intensity and nature of CT. Evaluators either led (direct exposure) or observed (indirect exposure) a 6-hour interview with a subject focusing on attachment and personality. Interviewers and evaluators then completed a measure of CT, the Therapist Response Questionnaire for a total of 43 subjects. Results show significant CT reactions for both interviewers and observers that were globally as intense in both conditions, although lower positive/satisfying and helpless/inadequate CTs were reported by observers. Moreover, intraclass correlations suggest that interviewers' and observers' CT reactions toward the same interviewee show an important degree of similarity. These results highlight the presence of CT in assessment contexts and support the existence of an objective part to CT reactions.

References

Jul 13, 2001·Journal of Clinical Psychology·D J Kiesler
May 3, 2005·The American Journal of Psychiatry·Ephi BetanDrew Westen
Mar 18, 2006·American Journal of Psychoanalysis·Paul Geltner
Dec 13, 2006·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·Drew WestenRebekah Bradley
Dec 17, 2009·Journal of Personality Assessment·Barry L SternOtto F Kernberg
Oct 1, 2013·The American Journal of Psychiatry·Antonello ColliVittorio Lingiardi
Sep 22, 2015·Personality Disorders·Annalisa TanzilliVittorio Lingiardi
Dec 13, 2016·Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic·Sarah KnausHenriette Löffler-Stastka

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.