The Influence of Individual‐Oriented Relationship Education on Equality and Conflict‐Related Behaviors

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread, pervasive problem that affects couples and individuals from diverse backgrounds. Effective IPV screening practices and interventions that consider IPV context have not been widely studied. Therefore, the authors examined the influence of individual‐oriented relationship education for 230 low‐income participants on equality and conflict‐related behaviors, while accounting for baseline IPV characteristics. Participants who began the intervention with more IPV experiences reported significant improvements in equality and conflict‐related behaviors postintervention.     

Therapists’ perspective on the therapeutic relationship: Examining a tripartite model

The components of a tripartite model of the therapeutic relationship, namely the working alliance, the transference configuration (transference and countertransference), and real relationship, were examined in terms of how they relate to one another and to the outcome of a psychotherapy session, from the therapists’ perspective. Although previous studies have examined these components separately, no study to date has examined the components together in their relation to session outcome. Licensed psychotherapists (n = 249) were recruited from two Divisions of the American Psychological Association. Therapists completed measures for the last session they had with a client. Results revealed that from the therapist’s perspective the real relationship and working alliance related positively to session outcome, and countertransference behavior related negatively to session outcome. The components related to each other mostly as predicted by the tripartite model, and a principal-axis factor analysis revealed the presence of four distinct factors resembling the components theorized to comprise the tripartite model. The components together accounted for 27% of the variance in session outcome and only the real relationship and the working alliance predicted session outcome when all the components were looked at simultaneously in a regression model.     

Exploratory study of mindfulness in modern-day sport psychology consulting relationships

This study explored sport psychology practitioners’ mindfulness in relation to the quality of consulting relationships and value within contemporary practice. A total of 34 sport psychology practitioners from South Africa (n = 22, females = 41%) and the United Kingdom (n = 12, females = 25%) (Private practice = 68%; 15+ years’ experience = 44%) participated in this study. Data were gathered, using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF), Working Alliance Inventory Short-Revised Form (WAI-SRT), and interviews. Spearman’s rank order correlation and thematic content analyses were employed to analyse the data. Higher levels of practitioners’ mindfulness were associated with superior consulting relationships. Specifically, positive correlations were observed between mindfulness attributes of observing, describing, non-reacting ability, and quality of the therapeutic bond, agreement on goals, and agreement on goals and tasks with clients respectively. Thematic analysis suggested mindfulness to facilitate accurate attending to present-moment experiences, and empathetic understanding of clients’ unique needs.     

Associations between the perceived quality of the coach–athlete relationship and athlete burnout: An examination of the mediating role of achievement goals

ObjectivesThe aim of the current study was to examine (1) associations between the quality of the coach–athlete relationship as perceived by athletes and athlete burnout and, (2) the role of achievement goals in mediating the association between the coach–athlete relationship and burnout.DesignCross-sectional.Method359 athletes completed measures of the perceived quality of the coach–athlete relationship (the 3Cs model), achievement goals (the 2 × 2 model) and burnout (the athlete burnout model).ResultsStructural equation modeling revealed negative relationships between the perceived quality of the coach–athlete relationship and the three dimensions of athlete burnout (df = 118, χ² = 215.37, RMSEA = .05 [.04; .06], TLI = .97, CFI = .97). Moreover, results suggested that mastery-approach goals partially mediated the relationship between the coach–athlete relationship and two dimensions of athlete burnout: sport devaluation (i.e., indirect and direct effects: p < .001) and reduced accomplishment (i.e., indirect and direct effects: p < .01).ConclusionThe current study confirms and broadens previous knowledge on the socio-cognitive correlates of athlete burnout by demonstrating that the level of athlete burnout is associated with the perceived quality of the relationship with the coach. Results also highlight that achievement goals partially mediate these relationships.     

Demeter's Compromise: Separation,Loss, and Reconnection in Mothers with Daughters Entering Adulthood

Drawing on contemporary theory of female development that focuses on the dynamics of the mother/daughter relationship regarding issues of separation and individuation, this article examines the treatment of a middle aged mother as she navigates her way through her daughter's adolescence and early adulthood. Psychoanalytic object relations, psychoanalytic relational theory, and feminist theory serve to frame an understanding of the case material in terms of developmental challenges that are uniquely female. Issues around mother/daughter attachment, separation, competition, conflict, and love are explored in the relationships between the patient and her mother, the patient and her daughter, and the patient and the therapist. The therapist's countertransference, intensified by her relationships with her own mother and daughter, suggests the possibility of both pitfalls and opportunities in the treatment. The article attempts to address a gap in psychoanalytic developmental theory, which offers little understanding of the challenges for women in midlife.     

The Balint group experience for medical students: a pilot project

Loss of empathy has been reported in medical students as they move through the clinical phases of their training. Several researchers have attempted to address this issue by exploring ways of heightening students’ awareness of the emotional, non-biomedical aspects of illness and the dynamics of the doctor–patient relationship, using a variety of reflective group discussion methods. This pilot project employed the specific group method developed by Michael Balint for general practitioners working in London after the Second World War. The pilot was based on one group of six third-year graduate students, meeting weekly over six weeks. Evaluation includes pre- and post-questionnaires, a 1000-word essay and leaders’ observations. The results suggest that the traditional Balint method needs to be modified for students at a point in their training where they have not yet been exposed to patients for long enough to develop meaningful patient relationships. Nevertheless, there was some evidence of a heightened awareness of the dynamics of doctor–patient relationships and the importance of psychological/emotional factors (including their own prejudices) when interacting with a patient. Balint-style groups could be an effective way of encouraging medical students to reflect on the importance of emotions in the doctor–patient relationship.     

Consistency of supervisor and peer ratings of assessment interviews conducted by psychology trainees

Observation of counsellor skills through a one-way mirror, video or audio recording followed by supervisors and peers feedback is common in counsellor training. The nature and extent of agreement between supervisor–peer dyads are unclear. Using a standard scale, supervisors and peers rated 32 interviews by psychology trainees observed through a one-way mirror. Results indicated that peers and supervisors used similar dimensions to cluster the various competencies. Peers rated counsellor performance more positively for general counselling skills, but not for specialised techniques. Analyses revealed good supervisor–peer agreement for some items and poor agreement on others, with some differences being unacceptably large. The study has important implications for how feedback involving supervisors and peers might be managed and for peer supervision models.     

扩展群际接触:观点、机制与展望

扩展群际接触效应指的是如果个体得知内群体成员与外群体成员之间具有友谊关系,可以有效减少个体对外群体的偏见,改善对外群体的态度。群际焦虑、知觉到的内群体/外群体准则、将他人纳入自我、自我表露在扩展群际接触效应中起到中介作用,群体准则的知觉差异性、社会意识态度、内群成员的关系紧密性、与外群体的直接接触程度等在扩展群际接触效应中起到调节作用。未来研究需要关注扩展群际接触效应的动机,比较不同类型群体的扩展群际接触效应,探讨扩展群际接触效应更为长远的社会后果,整合间接群际接触的积极效应。