title: The Impact of Interpersonal Style on Ruptures and Repairs in the Therapeutic Alliance Between Offenders and Therapists in Sex Offender Treatment.
abstract: The therapeutic relationship is a critical component of psychological treatment. Strain can occur in the relationship, particularly when working with offenders, and more specifically, those offenders with interpersonal difficulties; strain can lead to a rupture, which may affect treatment participation and performance. This study examined ruptures in the therapeutic relationship in sexual offenders participating in offense-focused group treatment. Fifty-four sex offenders rated the therapeutic alliance at the commencement and completion of treatment; at the completion of treatment, they also reported on the occurrence of ruptures and whether they believed these ruptures were repaired. Ruptures were separated by type, according to severity-Each relationship was therefore characterized as experiencing no rupture, a minor rupture, or a major rupture. Offender characteristics including interpersonal style (IPS) and psychopathy were assessed at the commencement of treatment; their relationship with ruptures was examined. Results revealed that more than half of the offenders (approximately 55%) experienced a rupture in the therapeutic alliance, with one in four of these ruptures remaining unresolved. Offenders who did not report a rupture rated the therapeutic alliance significantly higher at the end of treatment compared with those offenders who reported a rupture that was not repaired. Offenders who reported a major rupture in the therapeutic relationship were higher in interpersonal hostility and hostile-dominance. No interpersonal or offense-specific factors affected the likelihood of a rupture repair.
authors.affiliation: 1 Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Wollongong, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: 3 Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.|4 Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daffern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: interpersonal style; rupture; sex offender; therapeutic alliance; treatment process