The influence of client socioeconomic status on psychotherapists' attributional biases and countertransference reactions.
Clinical reaction related to client socioeconomic status has not been adequately researched, yet socioeconomic status can profoundly affect psychotherapist perceptions of a client's presenting concerns, symptom severity, and prognosis. Using an online national survey, this study examined the influence of client socioeconomic status on psychotherapist cognitive attributions and countertransference reactions (N = 141). Results revealed no significant differences in cognitive attributions based on socioeconomic status. However, significantly stronger countertransference reactions of being dominated by the client with a higher socioeconomic status were found. In addition, the clients with higher socioeconomic status were ascribed with mild problems compared with the client of lower socioeconomic status. Psychotherapeutic implications are discussed.
The University of Akron, Department of Counseling, 302 Buchtel Common, Akron, OH 44325-5007, USA.
Jennifer L
JL
Dougall
Robert C
RC
Schwartz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003071:Cognition; D003379:Countertransference; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012923:Social Class; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult