Self-reported reflective functioning mediates the association between attachment insecurity and well-being among psychotherapists.
Psychother Res
; 31(2): 247-257, 2021 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32429777
ABSTRACT
Objective:
Subjective well-being is a crucial variable for mental health practitioners. This study examines the influence of therapists' attachment dimensions and self-reported reflective functioning on their perceived well-being. Further, it examines if reflective functioning mediates the association between attachment insecurity and well-being.Method:
A total of 416 experienced psychotherapists were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, and completed self-report measures of attachment insecurity, reflective functioning, and well-being. We tested the hypothesized mediation model with path analysis that examined indirect effects.Results:
Both attachment anxiety and avoidance dimensions had a significant negative association with perceived well-being with small to medium effects. "Certainty" in reflective functioning had a small positive effect on therapist well-being. Reflective functioning mediated the association between insecure attachment dimensions and well-being, suggesting that therapist's lower ability to mentalize may partially account for the effects of higher attachment insecurity on lower well-being.Conclusion:
The well-being of psychotherapists with greater insecure attachment may deserve special attention, and therapists' mentalizing capacities may be targeted by researchers and trainers as a core ability to be cultivated in order to preserve therapists' professional and personal resources.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Psicoterapia
/
Psicoterapeutas
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article