Assessing objective countertransference with a computer-delivered Impact Message Inventory (IMI-C).

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychotherapy Research
• Clinical Assessment

Background:

• Objective countertransference assessment is crucial for understanding therapist-patient dynamics.
• The circumplex Impact Message Inventory (IMI-C) measures countertransference along affiliation and control dimensions.
• Previous studies validated a paper-and-pencil IMI-C, but electronic generalizability needed testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the generalizability of countertransference reactions across therapists using a computer-delivered IMI-C.
• To compare the psychometric properties of the electronic IMI-C with its paper-and-pencil version.

Main Methods:

• A computer-delivered version of the Impact Message Inventory (IMI-C) was administered to assess countertransference.
• The generalizability of scores across therapists was analyzed.
• Results were compared with previous findings from a paper-and-pencil IMI-C.

Main Results:

• Dominant (D) and hostile-dominant (HD) countertransference reactions were the most generalizable categories.
• Both affiliation (AFF) and control (CON) dimension scores demonstrated substantial generalizability.
• The computer-delivered IMI-C yielded more favorable results than the paper-and-pencil version for five categories and the AFF dimension.

Conclusions:

• The computer-based IMI-C is a viable and promising tool for assessing objective countertransference.
• Electronic administration enhances the generalizability of certain countertransference measures.
• This supports the use of digital tools in objective countertransference research.