A study of the effects of psychotherapy on client-perceived power as a dimension of personality

• Main Author: Simmermon, Robert David
• Other Authors: Hollis, Joseph W.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Client-centered psychotherapy.; Ego (Psychology)
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/180787; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/417613

This investigative study was on the effects psychotherapy had on client-perceived latent power as a dimension of personality. Additionally, the effects of increased perceived latent power upon the fulfillment of client expectation in psychotherapy was examined.The subjects for the research were selected from among persons presenting themselves for personal counseling at the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Ball State University. The sample of this population consisted of 30 individuals who had completed a minimum of four therapy sessions but not more than eight sessions.Each subject was given the Rotter I-E Scale during the intake interview at the Counseling Center at Ball State University. After receiving psychotherapeutic treatment, the subjects were readministered the Rotter I-E Scale and were administered the Inventory of Fulfillment of Client Expectancy (IFCE).A summary of the subject demographic data was reported to the Director of the Counseling and Psychological Services Center. He concluded that subjects participatingin the study were typical of clients receiving personal counseling at the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Ball State University.A pretest-posttest no control group research design was selected to treat the data. A t-test for repeated measures was performed and yielded a significant increase in client-perceived power as a result of psychotherapy (.02 level). Spearman Rank-Order Correlation Coefficient (Rho) statistical procedures were applied to determine if a rank-order relationship existed between the amount of change in the internal direction on the Rotter I-E Scale and the amount of fulfillment of client expectations in psychotherapy as measured by the IFCE. The fulfillment of client expectations was subdivided into Mean Value scores, Affective Domain scores, and Cognitive Domain scores. In each case a t-test for the significance of Rho indicated that the rank-order relationship was not statistically significant.Based upon the analysis of the data, the following conclusions were made:1. As a result of psychotherapy, client-perceived latent power significantly increased. Subjects were found to possess a significantly greater degree of internal locus of control as a result of the therapeutic experience.2. No significant rank-order correlation existed between the amount of client change in the internal direction on the locus of control and the total fulfillment of client expectations in psychotherapy.3. No significant rank-order correlation existed between the amount of client change in the internal direction on locus of control and the fulfillment of client affective expectations in psychotherapy.4. No significant rank-order correlation existed between the amount of client change in the internal direction of locus of control and the fulfillment of client cognitive expectations in psychotherapy.5. The subjects who received psychotherapeutic treatment at the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Ball State University were satisfied with the treatment they received and considered the therapy successful.