Countertransference in qualitative research: a critical appraisal

Abstract

The adoption of countertransference, an idea drawn from psychoanalytic theory, by qualitative researchers is examined. It is argued that its definition in the qualitative research literature has often been muddled due to the too-simple mapping of a clinical concept into the research setting. Most definitions either examine countertransference in terms of feeling states or behaviours that participants 'put into' or 'project' into researchers, or make a sharp distinction between this interpretation of countertransference and another that involves the activation of the researchers' own neuroses. Various manifestations in the research setting that have been described as potentially containing elements projected from the participant are outlined, such as changes in feeling and bodily states, or 'mistakes' on the part of the researcher. Alternative suggestions for the use of the researcher's feeling and bodily states are put forward. These include, cross-comparing these data with other elements and seeing them as potentially created in the intersubjectivity between participant and researcher.

The Intricate Process of Psychoanalytic Research: Encountering the Intersubjective Experience of the Researcher–Participant Relationship

“…Part of the complexity of research encounters involves participants entering into the research encounter with their own perceptions and expectations regarding the process and the role the researcher will play (Mitchell & Irvine, ). Often it is not an apparent or even conscious role that a researcher takes as participants have been described as inducing ‘mistakes’ in a researcher, causing them to slip out of role (Holmes, ). Stromme et al .…”

Private World(s)

“…In fact, listening through direct speech about the special needs and experiences of each individual is crucial to promote the mainstreaming of a gender perspective in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national policies and programmes in all political, economic and social spheres to ensure that the needs and priorities of women and girls, and men and boys, are taken into account. But such problems can be seen as a kind of a 'countertransference process' (Holmes, 2014), which has a very rich potential to foster the intersubjectivity between the participant and the researcher helping to develop credible scientific knowledge. But such problems can be seen as a kind of a 'countertransference process' (Holmes, 2014), which has a very rich potential to foster the intersubjectivity between the participant and the researcher helping to develop credible scientific knowledge.…”

Feeling ‘like a minority . . . a pathology’: interpreting race from research with African and Caribbean women on violence and abuse

“…Transference/countertransference have been used in various ways by researchers to describe feelings and responses to participants' narratives (Holmes, 2014). Transference has been described as a projection of unconscious motivations, worry from one person to another and countertransference, the experience of being the recipient of such a transfer.…”

“…Transference/countertransference may also be present in any conversation between two people including those occurring between researchers and participants (Hollway, 2016). Writers however, caution against directly mapping transference and countertransference occurring within a therapeutic relationship from a counselling session, to the research context (see Holmes, 2014).…”

“…The paper builds on feminist, ethnographic, oral history and psychosocial research on sensitive topics such as living with violence and abuse, death and long term health conditions (Campbell et al, 2009;Benoot and Bilsen, 2015;Dickson-Swift et al, 2009;Holmes, 2014;Holland, 2007;Hollway, 2016;Hutcheson, 2014;Marks and Monnich Marks, 2003;Roper, 2003;Watts, 2008). Psychodynamic therapist and psychiatrist, Searles (2000) describes clients accessing therapy as everyday therapists, wanting to make sense of their lives and assisting the therapist to do so.…”