A1 Journal article (refereed)
Development of the Psychotherapist Character Virtues (PCV) Interview (2024)
Lehtovuori, P., Lindfors, O., Tolvanen, A., & Heinonen, E. (2024). Development of the Psychotherapist Character Virtues (PCV) Interview. Psychotherapy Research, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2024.2352735
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Lehtovuori, Pirjo; Lindfors, Olavi; Tolvanen, Asko; Heinonen, Erkki
Journal or series: Psychotherapy Research
ISSN: 1050-3307
eISSN: 1468-4381
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 22/05/2024
Volume: Early online
Publisher: Routledge
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2024.2352735
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/95305
Abstract
Method: The semi-structured Psychotherapist Character Virtues (PCV) interview and evaluation method, based on Erik Erikson’s and Heinz Kohut’s writings on 16 virtues or abilities and achievements of an adult self, was administered to 68 psychodynamic and solution-focused therapists. Inter-rater reliability was assessed based on 20 videorecorded interviews, rated by two evaluators. In a mixed-methods design, validity was investigated against (i) therapist’s questionnaire-based self-reported professional and personal background characteristics and (ii) a qualitative content analysis of emotional atmosphere in the interview.
Results: Interrater reliability for individual 16 virtues was acceptable (median correlation .72). From individual virtues, three principal components (Creative Will, Empathy, and Love/Care) emerged with good/excellent internal consistency (component determinacies .95, .85, and .90, respectively) and criterion validity with self-reported professional and personal characteristics. Cluster analysis of therapists’ component scores yielded six different therapist character profiles. In qualitative analysis, character profiles meaningfully differed in their impact on the interview’s emotional atmosphere.
Conclusion: PCV appears promising for evaluating therapists’ character virtues, posited to undergird therapists’ sensitive attunement and responsiveness. Further research is needed on PCV’s predictive validity for therapeutic relationships and outcomes.
Keywords: psychotherapy; psychotherapists; traits of character; encounter; evaluation; effectiveness; interview study
Free keywords: psychotherapist characteristics; psychotherapist training/supervision/development; therapist effects; responsiveness; assessment
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 2
