Systematic Exploration of Countertransference Phenomena in the Treatment of Patients at Risk for Suicide.

Publisher: Informa Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9504451 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1543-6136 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13811118 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Arch Suicide Res Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: London : Informa Healthcare
Original Publication: Dordrecht ; Boston : Kluwer Academic Publishers, c1995-

Countertransference* ; Psychiatry* ; Psychology* ; Psychotherapists* ; Suicide*; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; New Zealand ; Professional-Patient Relations ; Psychometrics ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Despite its critical role in clinical suicidology, empirical evidence on the nature of countertransference (CT) to patients at risk for suicide (PRS) is lacking. This study aimed to provide a systematic description of CT phenomena to PRS. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychotherapists completed the Therapist Response Questionnaire (TRQ) online, with reference to a PRS. Factor analysis (n = 267) yielded a 7-factor structure, including 1) entrapped/rejecting, 2) fulfilled/engaging, 3) aroused/reacting, 4) informal/boundary crossing, 5) protective/overinvolvement, 6) ambivalent/inconsistent, and 7) mistreated/controlling. On average, clinicians reported that CT dimensions tended to not apply to them, except for the positively connoted factor. Our findings suggest that patients at risk for suicide elicit specific dimensions of CT. We offer two alternative interpretations of clinicians' CT endorsement patterns.

Keywords: Therapist Response Questionnaire (TRQ); countertransference; factor analysis; psychotherapy; suicide

Date Created: 20180818 Date Completed: 20210721 Latest Revision: 20210721

20240628

10.1080/13811118.2018.1506844

30118649