The prevalence of sexual contact between british clinical psychologists and their patients

Abstract

The first British empirical study of therapist–patient sexual contact is described. In a national random survey of 1000 clinical psychologists with 581 usable responses, 3.5% of respondents reported having had sexual contact with patients either in the course of therapy or following discharge. Almost a quarter reported that they had treated patients who had been sexually involved with previous therapists, and almost two-fifths said they knew (through sources other than patients) of other clinical psychologists who had had sexual contact with patients. A number of variables were associated with breach of sexual boundaries. Logistic regression analysis revealed that three of these, homosexual orientation, sexual involvement with educators during postgraduate training, and longer post-qualification professional experience, were significant predictors of sexual contact with patients. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.