Therapists' differential countertransference reactions toward clients with major depression or borderline personality disorder

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine psychotherapists' differential countertransference reactions toward either clients diagnosed with either Major Depression or Borderline Personality Disorder. Specifically, psychotherapists' personal perceptions and emotional reactions to these clients were assessed utilizing the Impact Message Inventory and the Stress Appraisal Scale (N = 155). Direct feelings, action tendencies, cognitive attributions, and perceived anxiety were evaluated. Results indicated that clients with Borderline Personality Disorder are perceived as significantly more dominant and hostile, whereas clients with Major Depression were considered significantly more submissive, friendly, and salient. In addition, it was found that as clinicians' years of experience increased, degree of countertransference decreased. These results suggest that countertransference reactions can be measured empirically, that differential countertransference reactions are evoked toward clients manifesting different symptoms, and that awareness of countertransference may be important for positive therapeutic outcome.