Date of Award

Summer 2020

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Joye C. Anestis, PhD

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Michael D. Anestis, PhD

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Randolph C. Arnau, PhD

Committee Member 3 School

Psychology

Abstract

The incorporation of personality assessment and client treatment preferences in psychotherapy has implications for therapeutic processes and outcomes (e.g., treatment engagement, retention). While this research has largely focused on client characteristics and traits, mental healthcare providers seem to demonstrate differing perspectives of clients as a function of both their own and their clients’ personalities. However, no prior literature has considered providers’ pretreatment preferences of clients. The current study aimed to examine providers’ unique personality profiles and their associations with preferences for client personality characteristics utilizing a person-centered personality approach (i.e., latent profile analysis). Specifically, the study (1) examined providers’ personality traits and that of preferred clients, (2) compared providers’ personality traits to that of a normative sample, (3) identified the personality configurations/profiles of providers and their preferred clients, and (4) explored whether years of clinical experience impact the relationship between self- and preferred client-ratings. Results demonstrated unique personality profiles of both the providers and preferred clients. Findings also indicated trait-level associations between providers’ personality and preferred client personality, but there were no significant associations between personality profiles. Additionally, years of clinical experience was associated with trait-level ratings of preferred client personality but not personality profiles. Findings establish the presence of mental healthcare providers’ unique personality traits and preferences of client personality.

ORCID ID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7110-3993

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