The relationship between therapist-client interpersonal compatibility, sex of therapist, and therapeutic outcome

Explored the relationship between therapist-client interpersonal compatibility, sex of therapist, and psychotherapeutic outcome. The research sample consisted of 48 therapist-client dyads. The therapists were all graduate students enrolled in an individual therapy practicum, while the client sample was composed of 48 undergraduate female (mean age 19.3 years). The interpersonal compatibility of the dyads was determined from the FIRO-B results for each of the members' using a modification of Schutz's (1966) original mathematical schema. Therapy outcome was determined from pretherapy and posttherapy testing with the Tennessee Self Concept Scale and Mooney Problem Check List. A 3 X 2 research design with one concomitant variable (pretest) was used and data were analyzed using an analysis of covariance procedure. Results suggested that among this sample the sex of therapist did not have a significant differential effect. There was also a consistent lack of interaction effects between dyadic compatibility and sex of therapist. However, significant differences in therapeutic outcome across the levels of compatibility were observed.