Intergenerational Family Characteristics of Counselor Trainees

Abstract

In comparing the intergenerational relationships of counselor trainees and a nonclinical sample, counselor trainees reported healthier relationships with their parents and spouses concerning intergenerational triangulation, intergenerational intimidation, and spousal fusion and less healthy relationships with spouses and children on nuclear family triangulation.

Perception of Counselor Behavior and Current Intergenerational Family Relationships

“…Bowen's view, however, is based largely on theoretical assumptions with little or no empirical research to support his claims. Notwithstanding a few recent exceptions (i.e., Buelow, Bass, & Ackerman, 1994;Lawson & Gaushell, 1991), addressing counselor emotional-psychological functioning within a family-of-origin relational context has been based primarily on anecdotal reports (Liaboe & Guy, 1987). It is this issue that, in part, accounts for the current dearth of empirical research on this subject.…”

“…Little empirical research exists supporting these relationships. If these counselor variables are related to counselor trainees' relationship with their parents, then this relationship would seem to have definite implications for counselor training (Lawson & Gaushell, 1991).…”

Integrating the Spiritual Dimension Into Traditional Counselor Education Programs

“…Proponents of the model contend that it is appropriate because many students are attracted to the helping professions because of their own problems (Maeder, 1989;Miller, 1981;Rascusin, Abramowitz, & Winter, 1981;Rippere & Williams, 1986;Warkintin, 1963). They cite studies that counseling students are less healthy than other graduate students or other normative populations, on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) clinical scales (Bud win, 1977;Phillips, 1970;White, 1989);in overinvolvement of children in spousal relationships (Lawson & Gaushell, 1991);and in dysfunction in their families of origin (Buelow, Bass, & Ackerman, 1994). They also cite research that indicates that family-of-origin problems are correlated with greater effectiveness of counseling students (Watts, Trusty, Canada, & Harvill, 1995;Wilcoxon, Walker, & Hovestadt;Wittmer, Sword, & Loesch, 1973).…”

“…Critics of the wounded healer model as a philosophical foundation for counselor education cite research that counseling students are no different than other graduate students or the general population on the following dimensions of mental health: anxiety (Graham, 1987), self-esteem and depression (Fouad, Hains, & Davis, 1990), social interest (Brooks, 1973;Felker & Brown, 1970, Graham, 1987Kuehnl, 1974;Patterson, 1962;White, 1989), and mental health problems (Hornbuckle, 1992). They also point to research indicating that therapists are healthier than normative groups according to various criteria such as the following: relationship to family of origin (Lawson & Gaushell, 1991);nurturance (Brooks, 1973);calmness, expediency, sensitivity, trust, and forthrightness (Donnan & Harlan, 1968); and self-actualization, openmindedness, and lack of dogmatism (Kuehnl, 1974).…”

Differences in family of origin functioning among graduate students of different disciplines

“…However, because of methodological flaws (such as small sample size), the validity of these findings has been questioned (Liaboe & Guy, 1987). In fact, a more recent study of counselor trainees actually suggested that they have healthier family backgrounds than non-mental health care providers (Lawson & Gaushell, 1991).…”