Empathy from the Psychotherapy Client's Perspective; A Qualitative Examination
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Ohio University / OhioLINK
2014
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1384416815 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ohiou13844168152021-08-03T06:20:21Z Empathy from the Psychotherapy Client's Perspective; A Qualitative Examination MacFarlane, Peter D. Behavioral Sciences Clinical Psychology Counseling Psychology Psychology Psychotherapy empathy client perspective qualitative methodology grounded theory interpersonal process recall semistructured interview utility of empathy empathy theory psychotherapy outcome Empathy has been one of the best and most consistent predictors of outcome in quantitative research. Yet a basic understanding of the definition and uses of this common therapeutic factor has been hindered by theoretical difficulties. This study aimed to reexamine existing theoretical considerations of empathy through a qualitative analysis of clients' phenomenological experience of empathy, the clients' understanding of the therapists' empathic communications, and the clients' understanding of the utility of empathy. Participants consisted of nine clients seeking individual psychotherapy at a training clinic for doctoral students in clinical psychology. Semi-structured video-assisted interpersonal process recall (IPR) interviews lasting approximately 120 minutes each, were used for data-collection. The video-replay of the respondents' latest therapy session during interviews facilitated access to the clients' thoughts and feelings experienced during the session without undue interference. Subsequent transcription of the interviews was further enhanced through a multi-channel video-recording of the interviews.Grounded theory was used for the analysis of the transcripts, and analysis was furthered by access to the video-recordings of the interviews by four co-researchers. The use of a problem formulation to guide the interviewer during interviews and initial exploration of respondents' definitions of empathy at the beginning of each interview, allowed the respondent and interviewer to quickly focus in on the subject matter under investigation while leaving the client free to explore their actual experiences as prompted by the video-replay of the sessions. An iterative process of interviewing and data-analysis as indicated by grounded coding led to a saturation point after the sixth interview, ending data-collection after three additional interviews. Final categories were contributed to by most participants, and contributions from all nine participants were utilized in the final model. The analysis of the interviews yielded a model consisting of three clusters: (a) client-perceived types of empathy (the first two problem formulations gave rise to the first cluster); (b) client-perceived relational context of empathy (the second problem formulation); (c) client-perceived utility of therapist (the third problem formulation). The first cluster explored existing theoretical considerations related to typology including a discussion of cognitive versus affective types of empathy and a focus on client contributions to the process of empathy. The second cluster further elaborated on client impact on empathy engagement through client descriptions of their relationships with their therapists. The third and final cluster explored client experience and level of understanding of the usefulness of empathy in the therapeutic endeavor with an emphasis on the clients' contribution to the empathic engagement. The final hierarchical model consisted of a total of eight lowest-level categories. Results included exploration of linkages between types of empathy and utility of empathy. Results were discussed in the context of existing theory and research. 2014-02-07 English text Ohio University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1384416815 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1384416815 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Behavioral Sciences Clinical Psychology Counseling Psychology Psychology Psychotherapy empathy client perspective qualitative methodology grounded theory interpersonal process recall semistructured interview utility of empathy empathy theory psychotherapy outcome |
| spellingShingle |
Behavioral Sciences Clinical Psychology Counseling Psychology Psychology Psychotherapy empathy client perspective qualitative methodology grounded theory interpersonal process recall semistructured interview utility of empathy empathy theory psychotherapy outcome MacFarlane, Peter D. Empathy from the Psychotherapy Client's Perspective; A Qualitative Examination |
| author |
MacFarlane, Peter D. |
| author_facet |
MacFarlane, Peter D. |
| author_sort |
MacFarlane, Peter D. |
| title |
Empathy from the Psychotherapy Client's Perspective; A Qualitative Examination |
| title_short |
Empathy from the Psychotherapy Client's Perspective; A Qualitative Examination |
| title_full |
Empathy from the Psychotherapy Client's Perspective; A Qualitative Examination |
| title_fullStr |
Empathy from the Psychotherapy Client's Perspective; A Qualitative Examination |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Empathy from the Psychotherapy Client's Perspective; A Qualitative Examination |
| title_sort |
empathy from the psychotherapy client's perspective; a qualitative examination |
| publisher |
Ohio University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2014 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1384416815 |
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AT macfarlanepeterd empathyfromthepsychotherapyclientsperspectiveaqualitativeexamination |
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