A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF SUPERVISION IN MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY
Abstract
This study investigated differences in supervision related to trainee level of expertise and experience. As a descriptive effort, the primary purpose of the study was to identify differences between beginning and advanced trainees along two conceptual dimensions: the focus or content of supervision and the relationship or interaction between supervisor and supervisee. Subjects for the investigation were 16 trainees in marital and family therapy and 5 supervisors. Audio tapes were made for each trainee's meeting with a supervisor. These tapes were coded and analyzed by two trained raters. In addition, a structured interview was held with each subject and assessed their opinions about effective supervision. Multivariate analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. The hypotheses were not supported at the .05 level of significance indicating that differences in supervision between beginning and advanced trainees did not occur in this sample. However, when trainees were separated into two groups according to similar supervisor and setting (academic vs. non-academic) differences did emerge. Significant at the .05 level, these differences concerned the number of remarks made by trainees about observations, interventions and giving feedback to the supervisor. Non-academic trainees scored higher on these dimensions and exhibited a slightly stronger tendency towards egalitarian relationships with a supervisor. The interview data also revealed no significant differences and overall a consistent description of effective supervision was presented by the subjects. All trainees emphasized the importance of discussing conceptualizations, interventions and their own reactions in an egalitarian relationship with a supervisor. It was concluded that trainee level is not a variable which actively determines how supervision is conducted but characteristics of the supervisor do exert a strong influence on the nature of supervision. Based on this study's preliminary identification of relevant concepts, additional study of supervision in marital and family therapy is warranted.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
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