An experimental inquiry into transference roles and age.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this psychotherapy analogue investigation, the effects of client age and therapist age on transference-like projections onto therapists were examined. Young (25-35) and older (60-70) pseudoclients compared paraprofessional therapists to significant figures in their own lives after a dyadic "helping" interview. The results provide empirical support for the phenomenon of reverse transference in therapy with older patients. Older clients were more inclined than young clients to view therapists, particularly younger therapists, as similar to their children. Young clients more willingly attributed parental qualities to older therapists. Both old and young clients may see therapists more as peers or friends than as family members.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)306-311
Number of pages6
JournalPsychology and aging
Volume2
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1987

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An experimental inquiry into transference roles and age.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this