Date of Award

1998

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This study was an investigation of the effects of perceived client boundary challenges and therapist responses on sexual intimacies in therapy. Participants were 53 clinicians randomly selected from the Independent Practice Division of the American Psychological Association. Questionnaire data were collected regarding (a) the extent to which participants experienced perceived client boundary challenges in their practice, (b) ways in which participants responded to preceding client boundary challenges, and (c) participants' perceptions of the quality of their graduate training program(s) in preparing them to handle client boundary challenges. Data were analyzed using a 4 (levels of perceived client boundary challenges) x 3 (levels of therapist responses) ANOVA with repeated measures. A 4 x 3 ANCOVA was also conducted with graduate training as the covariate. The Newman-Keuls post hoc method followed initial analyses for statistically significant results. Descriptive analyses revealed that most therapists are confronted with perceived client boundary challenges in their practice and that low intensity boundary challenges were encountered most frequently, followed by moderate intensity boundary challenges. The ANOVA and subsequent post hoc analyses yielded three significant findings. First, results revealed a significant main effect for perceived client boundary challenges, with the significance existing within the level of other” client boundary challenges. Second, results revealed a significant main effect for therapist responses, with the significance existing within the level of therapist poor judgment responses. Third, results revealed a significant interaction effect between perceived client boundary challenges and subsequent therapist responses, with the significant interactions existing between perceived client boundary challenges and therapist poor judgment behaviors and boundary crossings. The ANCOVA produced no significant effects, indicating that graduate training did not influence client behaviors, therapist responses, or the interaction. Implications for the field of therapy and therapist training and recommendations for future research are discussed in light of these findings.

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