Dimensions of interpersonal orientation: Cross-cultural studies regarding the structure of the ‘DOI Kit’

The DOI Kit is a four-version instrument (Junior Self and Other-Report, and Adult Self-and Other-Report) developed in Spain to measure ‘Dimensions of Interpersonal Orientation’ (Spanish: ‘Dimensiones de Orientación Interpersonal’ or DOI), which are defined as prevalent postures in interpersonal behaviour. The DOI Kit has six first-level scales that collapse into two broad oblique dimensions: Prosocial versus Antisocial Behaviour, and Sociability versus Unsociability.The aim of this article is to find out whether the first- and second-level structure of the Spanish DOI Kit can also be applied to data gathered in Chile and in Germany. A total of eight groups of data were studied. In order to find the best common structure for Spanish, Chilean, and German samples, Simultaneous Component Analysis (SCA) was applied. SCA shows an excellent replication of the original DOI Kit structure. This is also found when separate factor analyses (varimax and oblimin rotations) are performed.     

Supervisees' perspectives on the contribution of supervision to psychotherapy outcomes

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine supervisees' perspectives about the contribution of two predefined aspects of supervision, supervisory bond (SB) and didactic input of supervisor (DI), to their ascribed outcome of therapy.

Method

Supervisees anonymously assessed the SB, supervisors' DI and their contribution to therapy outcome. Assessment was quantitative and qualitative. The supervisory aspects were assessed using a questionnaire constructed for this study. Perceived contribution was evaluated by two scaled questions, and themes generated by an open question. Supervisees (n = 111) evaluated 16 supervisors and supervision’s contribution to psychotherapy outcomes of 111 clients.

Findings

Hierarchical regression showed that supervisees' age, supervisors' status and frequency of supervision accounted for 24% of the variance ascribed to outcome. SB and DI accounted for 51% of the variance. These values, which are higher than reported in the literature, may be attributed to the assessment of predefined aspects of supervision by the same assessor. Thematic analysis of the didactic input produced more themes than for the supervisory bond.

Conclusion

Sociodemographic variables and supervisory relationship variables determine supervisees' evaluations of supervision’s contribution to outcome.

Implications for practice

Training and supervision may benefit from information obtained from quantitative and qualitative measures regarding these and other predefined variables related to supervision. The in-depth look at views and experiences shared by supervisees may advance training, practice and research.     

Window of opportunity: Social acceptance and life transformation in the rehabilitation of imprisoned sex offenders

Based on a positive criminology perspective and a qualitative research design, the current study was used to identify the internal strengths and external forces that help imprisoned sex offenders correct and transform their lifestyles. The participants were 38 men incarcerated in two prisons in Israel who had been convicted of various sexual offenses. In individual in-depth, face-to-face interviews, most of the participants reported that they had experienced personal and social changes during their current imprisonment, which they attributed to the support they received from sources both inside and outside the jail, particularly spouses, parents, therapists, and religious or spiritual figures. These supporters expressed their personal and social acceptance of the prisoners, which included features of reintegrative shaming. The research findings suggest that positive changes can be achieved under harsh conditions, such as imprisonment by means of exposure to human strengths, thus supporting the positive criminology approach. This research finding may have theoretical and practical implications for the rehabilitative practice.     

The Effect of CS Administration or an R-Optimized Alternative on R–PAS Variables: A Meta-Analysis of Findings From Six Studies

Controlling the number of Rorschach responses (R) as a method to reduce variability in the length of records has stimulated controversy among researchers for many years. Recently, the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R–PAS; Meyer, Viglione, Mihura, Erard, &; Erdberg, 2011 Meyer, G. J., Viglione, D. J., Mihura, J. L., Erard, R. E., &; Erdberg, P. (2011). Rorschach Performance Assessment System: Administration, coding, interpretation, and technical manual. Toledo, OH: Rorschach Performance Assessment System. [Google Scholar]) introduced an R-Optimized method to reduce variability in R. Using 4 published and 2 previously unpublished studies (N = 713), we examine the extent to which 51 Comprehensive System–based scores on the R–PAS profile pages are affected as a result of receiving Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 2003 Exner, J. E. (2003). The Rorschach: A Comprehensive System. Vol. 1. Basic foundations (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. [Google Scholar]) administration versus a version of R-Optimized administration. As hypothesized, R—the intended target of R-Optimized administration—showed reliable weighted average differences across each method of administration. As expected, its mean modestly increased and its standard deviation notably decreased. Also as hypothesized, the next largest effects were decreases in the variability (SD) of 2 variables directly related to R, R8910% and Complexity. No other reliable differences were observed. Therefore, because R-Optimized administration does not notably modify the existing CS-based normative values for other profiled R–PAS variables, the data do not support concerns that R-Optimized administration notably modifies the Rorschach task or that existing CS research data would not generalize to R–PAS. However, because R-Optimized administration reduces variability in R, it allows a single set of norms to apply readily to more people.