Investigating the impact of supervisee attachment system activation on the supervisory relationship. Issue 2 (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McKibben, W. Bradley; Webber, Wesley B.
• Is Part Of: Clinical supervisor. Volume 36:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 324
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Attachment -- feedback -- supervision -- working alliance; Mental health personnel -- Supervision of -- Periodicals; Psychotherapists -- Supervision of -- Periodicals; Mental health personnel -- Training of -- Periodicals; Psychotherapists -- Training of -- Periodicals; 616.8900683
• DOI: 10.1080/07325223.2017.1345340
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0732-5223

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Using a quasi-experimental design, the authors explored how supervisee attachment to supervisor predicted the supervisory relationship after recalling critical feedback from a supervisor. To examine effects of supervisee attachment system activation, participants were randomly assigned either to recall critical feedback from a supervisor (experimental condition) or to list objects in the room (control condition). Anxious and avoidant attachment to supervisor significantly predicted the supervisory relationship, but there were no significant differences among participants in either condition in predicting the supervisory relationship. Results are discussed in light of attachment theory, and implications for further investigating attachment dynamics in supervision are presented.