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Gestalt - Recent Articles
The iBelong Scale: Construction and validation of a measure of racial–ethnic–cultural belonging.
- January 25, 2024
The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of racial–ethnic–cultural (REC) belonging for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC). The iBelong Scale was designed to assess the multidimensional components of REC belonging across diverse BIPOC groups. The scale was constructed based on a grounded conceptual framework of REC belonging, and the initial pool of items received feedback from community members and content experts. Validation of the iBelong Scale comprised data from 808 BIPOC participants collected across three interrelated studies for the purposes of initial validation, construct validity, and test–retest reliability. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis yielded a 25-item scale with five factors: (a) Home, (b) Connection, (c) Authenticity, (d) REC Thriving, and (e) Self-Definition. Results from Study 2’s confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the five-factor model was an acceptable fit of the data and the best fit among competing models. Measurement invariance was assessed, and results indicated that the iBelong Scale measures REC belonging similarly across differing BIPOC groups. The iBelong Scale was related to a range of measures in theoretically expected ways, including positive associations with general belonging, racial/ethnic identity, and general well-being, and negative associations with loneliness and REC nonbelonging. Findings from Study 3 indicated the test–retest reliability of the iBelong Scale over a 2-week period. Limitations of the studies and implications for research and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of racial–ethnic–cultural (REC) belonging for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC). The iBelong Scale was designed to assess the multidimensional components of REC belonging across diverse BIPOC groups. The scale was constructed based on a grounded conceptual framework of REC belonging, and the initial pool of items received feedback from community members and content experts. Validation of the iBelong Scale comprised data from 808 BIPOC participants collected across three interrelated studies for the purposes of initial validation, construct validity, and test–retest reliability. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis yielded a 25-item scale with five factors: (a) Home, (b) Connection, (c) Authenticity, (d) REC Thriving, and (e) Self-Definition. Results from Study 2’s confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the five-factor model was an acceptable fit of the data and the best fit among competing models. Measurement invariance was assessed, and results indicated that the iBelong Scale measures REC belonging similarly across differing BIPOC groups. The iBelong Scale was related to a range of measures in theoretically expected ways, including positive associations with general belonging, racial/ethnic identity, and general well-being, and negative associations with loneliness and REC nonbelonging. Findings from Study 3 indicated the test–retest reliability of the iBelong Scale over a 2-week period. Limitations of the studies and implications for research and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
In the name of interests: A joint consideration of interest development and consequence.
- February 01, 2024
Vocational interests have been an important concept for career decision making and counseling. However, while researchers have separately explored the criterion validity of interest congruence and the formation mechanism of interests, there has been little joint, interactive consideration of the two key aspects of interests. A key issue remains unclear: Could interests with different focal formation mechanisms have different consequences? Drawing on the motivation and vocational literature, this article first explains why it is possible and necessary to differentiate the formation mechanisms of interests in terms of motivational focus (intrinsic, extrinsic-autonomous, and extrinsic-controlled). Then, it formulates how the motivational focus of interests interacts with the performance focus of environments (quality-oriented vs. quantity-oriented) and the value focus of individuals (intrinsic vs. extrinsic satisfaction) in shaping the criterion validity of congruence. By linking what people like with why they like it, the joint interest formation and consequence model (a) delineates the motivational, performance, and value moderators of congruence–criterion links and explains previous results; (b) suggests assessment strategies that can facilitate research and practice related to the joint model and marginalized populations; and (c) provides insights into the flexible use of interests in different scenarios of career selection. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Vocational interests have been an important concept for career decision making and counseling. However, while researchers have separately explored the criterion validity of interest congruence and the formation mechanism of interests, there has been little joint, interactive consideration of the two key aspects of interests. A key issue remains unclear: Could interests with different focal formation mechanisms have different consequences? Drawing on the motivation and vocational literature, this article first explains why it is possible and necessary to differentiate the formation mechanisms of interests in terms of motivational focus (intrinsic, extrinsic-autonomous, and extrinsic-controlled). Then, it formulates how the motivational focus of interests interacts with the performance focus of environments (quality-oriented vs. quantity-oriented) and the value focus of individuals (intrinsic vs. extrinsic satisfaction) in shaping the criterion validity of congruence. By linking what people like with why they like it, the joint interest formation and consequence model (a) delineates the motivational, performance, and value moderators of congruence–criterion links and explains previous results; (b) suggests assessment strategies that can facilitate research and practice related to the joint model and marginalized populations; and (c) provides insights into the flexible use of interests in different scenarios of career selection. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
When you are the “other”: A scoping review of the experiences of clinicians of color working with White clients.
- February 01, 2024
With an ever-diversifying population and society, intercultural dynamics has been a topic of interest for many years. This is especially true within the mental health profession, as the effects of clinician bias and behaviors on client outcomes have been studied and documented many times over. However, often times these studies focus on the White clinician and client of color dynamic, with focus on the White clinician’s way of being or competency and the resulting perceptions of the client of color. The opposite dynamic, that of a clinician of color with a White client, has often been overlooked and ignored. Yet, with more clinicians of color (COCs) entering the field, and with demand of mental health services increasing, this unique dynamic needs to be understood. The experiences of COCs when they are the “other” within the room is unique and not well-documented. A scoping review of the literature is conducted to examine what research has been conducted on COCs working with White clients. A total of four articles were included in the final review, and the types of research being conducted, risks of micro- and macroaggressions, the different strategies utilized, and the unique needs of COCs are analyzed and summarized. This study adds to this budding conversation by examining the extant literature on COC’s experiences. Results of the limited literature and hopeful future directions are discussed, including a discussion on cultural humility as a critical factor in individual and systemic change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
With an ever-diversifying population and society, intercultural dynamics has been a topic of interest for many years. This is especially true within the mental health profession, as the effects of clinician bias and behaviors on client outcomes have been studied and documented many times over. However, often times these studies focus on the White clinician and client of color dynamic, with focus on the White clinician’s way of being or competency and the resulting perceptions of the client of color. The opposite dynamic, that of a clinician of color with a White client, has often been overlooked and ignored. Yet, with more clinicians of color (COCs) entering the field, and with demand of mental health services increasing, this unique dynamic needs to be understood. The experiences of COCs when they are the “other” within the room is unique and not well-documented. A scoping review of the literature is conducted to examine what research has been conducted on COCs working with White clients. A total of four articles were included in the final review, and the types of research being conducted, risks of micro- and macroaggressions, the different strategies utilized, and the unique needs of COCs are analyzed and summarized. This study adds to this budding conversation by examining the extant literature on COC’s experiences. Results of the limited literature and hopeful future directions are discussed, including a discussion on cultural humility as a critical factor in individual and systemic change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Members’ goal orientation and working alliance in group therapy: A response surface analysis.
- February 15, 2024
Research suggests that a client’s achievement goal orientation and alliance are important for positive treatment outcomes. However, it is currently unknown how a member’s goal orientation and alliance in tandem relate to members’ improvement in group therapy, despite conceptual wisdom regarding the additive effect of a high alliance and a mastery or approach goal orientation. Therefore, this study sought to examine the congruence between members’ goal orientation and the member–group alliance on members’ perceived improvement in group therapy. Data for this study came from 99 clients across 10 interpersonal process groups. Polynomial regression and response surface analysis were used to test the congruent and discrepant effects of members’ goal orientation (i.e., approach-performance, avoidance-performance, and mastery orientation) and group alliance on their perceived improvement in group therapy. As hypothesized, members who reported congruent high group alliance and high mastery orientation or approach orientation compared to congruent low alliance and low mastery or approach orientation reported high levels of improvement in group therapy. Regarding discrepant effects, discrepant high alliance and low avoidance orientation compared to low alliance and high avoidance was positively related to improvement in group therapy, and discrepant high alliance and low approach orientation compared to low alliance and high approach was positively related to improvement in group therapy. Last, discrepant high alliance and low mastery and low alliance and high mastery were positively related to improvement in group therapy, suggesting a compensatory effect between mastery orientation and alliance on improvement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Research suggests that a client’s achievement goal orientation and alliance are important for positive treatment outcomes. However, it is currently unknown how a member’s goal orientation and alliance in tandem relate to members’ improvement in group therapy, despite conceptual wisdom regarding the additive effect of a high alliance and a mastery or approach goal orientation. Therefore, this study sought to examine the congruence between members’ goal orientation and the member–group alliance on members’ perceived improvement in group therapy. Data for this study came from 99 clients across 10 interpersonal process groups. Polynomial regression and response surface analysis were used to test the congruent and discrepant effects of members’ goal orientation (i.e., approach-performance, avoidance-performance, and mastery orientation) and group alliance on their perceived improvement in group therapy. As hypothesized, members who reported congruent high group alliance and high mastery orientation or approach orientation compared to congruent low alliance and low mastery or approach orientation reported high levels of improvement in group therapy. Regarding discrepant effects, discrepant high alliance and low avoidance orientation compared to low alliance and high avoidance was positively related to improvement in group therapy, and discrepant high alliance and low approach orientation compared to low alliance and high approach was positively related to improvement in group therapy. Last, discrepant high alliance and low mastery and low alliance and high mastery were positively related to improvement in group therapy, suggesting a compensatory effect between mastery orientation and alliance on improvement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Patient attachment and reflective functioning as predictors for therapist in-session feelings.
- February 15, 2024
Therapists’ in-session feelings in psychotherapy can be seen as indications of the development of the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic process. To manage them appropriately, it is important to know to what extent they may be influenced by patients’ pretreatment characteristics. This study aims to improve the understanding of therapists’ emotional reactions in the psychotherapeutic setting by investigating if patients’ pretreatment mentalization ability and attachment style predicted therapist in-session feelings. In a sample of 87 therapy dyads treated with interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, patient attachment was measured using self-reported Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) and mentalization using Reflective Functioning (RF). ECR and RF were hypothesized to predict therapist feelings measured by the Feeling Word Checklist–24 at different treatment phases over the full course of treatment. Treatment method, patient age, gender, and pretreatment depression were evaluated as potential confounders. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the data. Lower RF in patients predicted more negative therapist feelings in the mid- to late-treatment phases and less positive feelings in the late-treatment phase. Self-reported attachment anxiety or avoidance did not predict therapist feelings. Findings indicate that patients’ ability to mentalize is important to consider when conducting psychotherapy, as it can influence therapists’ feelings in the therapeutic process. Limitations of the present study’s approach are discussed, and directions for future research are considered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Orders received after 10:00 AM E Monday will be mailed the following Monday from Florida.
Therapists’ in-session feelings in psychotherapy can be seen as indications of the development of the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic process. To manage them appropriately, it is important to know to what extent they may be influenced by patients’ pretreatment characteristics. This study aims to improve the understanding of therapists’ emotional reactions in the psychotherapeutic setting by investigating if patients’ pretreatment mentalization ability and attachment style predicted therapist in-session feelings. In a sample of 87 therapy dyads treated with interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, patient attachment was measured using self-reported Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) and mentalization using Reflective Functioning (RF). ECR and RF were hypothesized to predict therapist feelings measured by the Feeling Word Checklist–24 at different treatment phases over the full course of treatment. Treatment method, patient age, gender, and pretreatment depression were evaluated as potential confounders. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the data. Lower RF in patients predicted more negative therapist feelings in the mid- to late-treatment phases and less positive feelings in the late-treatment phase. Self-reported attachment anxiety or avoidance did not predict therapist feelings. Findings indicate that patients’ ability to mentalize is important to consider when conducting psychotherapy, as it can influence therapists’ feelings in the therapeutic process. Limitations of the present study’s approach are discussed, and directions for future research are considered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
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