title: An experimental inquiry into transference roles and age.
abstract: In this psychotherapy analogue investigation, the effects of client age and therapist age on transference-like projections onto therapists were examined. Young (25-35) and older (60-70) pseudoclients compared paraprofessional therapists to significant figures in their own lives after a dyadic "helping" interview. The results provide empirical support for the phenomenon of reverse transference in therapy with older patients. Older clients were more inclined than young clients to view therapists, particularly younger therapists, as similar to their children. Young clients more willingly attributed parental qualities to older therapists. Both old and young clients may see therapists more as peers or friends than as family members.
authors.affiliation: Washington University.
authors.forename: W N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Robiner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012659:Semantic Differential; D014167:Transference, Psychology