title: Novice therapist attachment and perceived ruptures and repairs: a pilot study.
abstract: Although extensively discussed in theoretical articles, empirical studies of therapist attachment and perceptions of ruptures and repairs are lacking. The present study examined the relationship between therapist attachment anxiety and avoidance and their perceptions of rupture tension, effort, and repair. Twenty-two novice therapists completed a measure of adult romantic attachment and a measure to assess perceptions of ruptures and repairs following the eighth session with their first clients. Results revealed that there was a strong positive correlation between therapist attachment anxiety and effort spent focused on perceived ruptures and a moderate positive correlation between attachment anxiety and rupture tension. There was no significant relationship between attachment anxiety and perceived repairs of ruptures. Attachment avoidance was not significantly correlated with either perceptions of the ruptures or repairs. Therapists who were higher on anxiety and avoidance, more fearful therapists, reported the most ruptures. Limitations and implications of the findings are presented.
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Cheri L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Marmarosh
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Jaclyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pembleton
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rotbart
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Niles
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muzyk
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liner
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margolies
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Professional Psychology Program, George Washington University.
authors.forename: Kelsie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Salmen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy