Therapists' big five personality traits and interpersonal functioning in the substance abuse field: A cluster-analytic study

Abstract

Background: Considerable differences exist between therapists in the outcomes of psychotherapy and substance abuse treatment. There is no clear understanding of the extent to which these differences can be explained by the personality traits or interpersonal functioning of the therapists.Aims: This study seeks to shed some light on their personal qualities. The aim was to group Finnish substance abuse therapists (N = 97) based on their personality traits and interpersonal functioning.Methods: Personality traits were measured using a test based on the five-factor model and interpersonal functioning with a vignette task.Results: The cluster analysis yielded a three-group model. The first two groups differed considerably in their personality traits, yet their interpersonal functioning was on almost the same level. The personality traits of the third group were close to standard average. Their interpersonal functioning was clearly on a lower level than that of the other two groups. The groups also differed from each other with respect to some background variables and therapeutic orientation.Conclusions: In the future, the grouping should be linked to treatment processes and outcomes. The results are also of interest with an eye to student selection, recruitment of therapists, and supervision at work.