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Practitioner perfectionism: relationship to ambiguity tolerance and work satisfaction
1California Graduate Institute, USA. kevinwitt@aol.com
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|December 18, 2001
Summary
Perfectionism in psychologists is linked to lower satisfaction with psychotherapy. High, socially influenced perfectionism and poor tolerance for ambiguity reduce enjoyment in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychotherapy Research
Background:
- Perfectionism is prevalent among mental health professionals but under-researched.
- Understanding factors influencing therapist satisfaction is crucial for effective practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between perfectionism and psychotherapy satisfaction in psychologists.
- To explore the role of tolerance of ambiguity in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 197 doctoral-level, private-practice psychologists.
- Statistical analysis to assess correlations between perfectionism, tolerance of ambiguity, and psychotherapy satisfaction.
Main Results:
- Perfectionism was negatively correlated with satisfaction in conducting psychotherapy.
- High socially prescribed perfectionism and low tolerance of ambiguity were associated with reduced enjoyment of psychotherapy.
- Tolerance of ambiguity emerged as a significant moderator.
Conclusions:
- Perfectionism may negatively impact psychologists' job satisfaction and enjoyment of clinical work.
- Interventions to manage perfectionism and enhance ambiguity tolerance could benefit clinicians.
- Further research is needed to explore these dynamics in therapeutic settings.
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