A structural analysis of variables related to therapeutic outcomes as perceived by music therapists and clients in guided imagery and music

Abstract

This study examined the structural relationship between music therapists’ self-efficacy and countertransference management ability, and therapeutic outcomes perceived by music therapists and their clients regarding the working alliance they perceive in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). The participants were 77 therapists and their clients. Our results indicated that therapists’ self-efficacy had a significant direct influence on their perceived therapeutic outcomes, and a significant direct and indirect influence on their perceived working alliance. Second, therapists’ self-efficacy did not directly influence the client-perceived working alliance, but significantly influenced the working alliance mediated by therapists’ countertransference management ability. Third, therapist- and client-perceived working alliances had a significant influence on their perceived therapeutic outcomes. Thus, the influence of therapists’ working alliance on therapeutic outcomes was similar for therapists and clients. However, the influence of client-perceived working alliance on therapist-perceived therapeutic outcomes was relatively lower than its impact on client-perceived therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, the self-efficacy, countertransference management ability, and working alliance of music therapists are critical variables in mediating therapeutic outcomes in GIM.