Candidate: Anthony Tatman

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Counselor Education and Counceling Psychology

Title: The Relationship between Counselor-in-Training Personality Traits and Family-of-Origin Characteristics with the Working Alliance

Committee: Dr. Alan J. Hovestadt, Chair
Dr. Gary Bischof
Dr. Paul Yelsma

Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
3514 Sangren, Reading Clinic

Abstract: Research has revealed that the working alliance between counselors-in-training (CITs) and their clients significantly impacts the outcome of therapy (Horvath & Symonds, 1991; Martin et al., 2000; Parish & Eagle, 2003). The amount and quality of research is limited, however, concerning CIT traits that facilitate the development of the working alliance ( Ackerman & Hilsenroth, 2001; Eames & Roth, 2000; Hersoug et al., 2001; Ligiero & Gelso, 2002; Wampold, 2001). A review of this literature revealed that CIT personality traits and family-of-origin (FOO) characteristics have an influence on the working alliance. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to identify the degree to which CIT personality traits and FOO characteristics are associated with working alliance evaluations. To investigate this relationship, this study utilized 6 CIT personality predictor variables: (1) Neuroticism, (2) Extraversion, (3) Openness, (4) Agreeableness, (5) Conscientiousness, measured by the NEO-FFI (Costa & McCrae, 1992), and (6) Alexithymia, measured by the TAS-20 (Bagby, Parker et al., 1994). This study also incorporated 2 CIT FOO predictor variables: (1) general family functioning in the FOO, measured by the FAD-GFS (Epstein et al., 1983), and (2) emotional expression within the FOO, measured by the FOEAS (Yelsma et al., 2000). The two criterion variables consisted of (1) CIT evaluations of the working alliance with their client, measured by the CIT WAI-S (Tracey & Kokotovic, 1989), and (2) client evaluations of the working alliance with their CIT, measured by the client WAI-S (Tracey & Kokotovic).

The sample consisted of 33 CIT-client dyads, consisting of 27 female and 6 male CITs providing counseling services to 23 female and 10 male clients. Data was analyzed with a combination of stepwise regression models and correlation analyses. Results revealed that when CITs reached an average level of apprehension, frustration, sadness, and discouragement (i.e., Neuroticism) on the NEO-FFI (Costa & McCrae, 1992), as well as had positive perceptions about the general functioning within their FOO, positive client evaluations of the working alliance were significantly predicted. Self of the therapist literature was used to explain, make conclusions, and generate implications for CIT training, supervision, and future research.

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