Return to search

Attachment Theory Within Clinical Supervision: Application of the Conceptual to the Empirical

Attachment theory has established itself as applicable to many types of relationships, encompassing caregiver-child, romantic, interpersonal, and psychotherapeutic interactions. This project sought to investigate the application of attachment theory to clinical supervision. Using suggestions put forth in previous work by Watkins and Riggs, this study examined the dyadic interactions inherent in both supervision and attachment. Using the working alliance as determination of the quality of supervision, attachment styles, leader-follower attachment, and attachment-based expectations were explored as predictors for supervisor-trainee dyad outcome in a training clinic for doctoral psychology students. The study design is longitudinal and prospective. Findings indicate the necessity of measurement of supervisory-specific attachment rather than general attachment, the stability of working alliance over time, and the large contribution of the leader-member attachment framework to the understanding of supervisory attachment. Implications include the importance of maintaining hierarchical, evaluative boundaries within supervisory relationship, consistent with a leader-follower dynamic.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc804896
Date08 1900
CreatorsWrape, Elizabeth R.
ContributorsCallahan, Jennifer L., Cox, Randall J. (Randall Judd), Watkins, C. Edward, Jr.
PublisherUniversity of North Texas
Source SetsUniversity of North Texas
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Formatv, 69 pages, Text
RightsPublic, Wrape, Elizabeth R., Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved.

Page generated in 0.0031 seconds