Determining differences between therapists using an extended version of the facilitative interpersonal skills performance test

Journal of Clinical Psychology, vol. 80, pp. 1698–1710

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The therapist-facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) has shown to predict therapy outcomes, demonstrating that high FIS therapists are more effective than low FIS therapists. There is a need for more insight into the variability in strengths and weaknesses in therapist skills. This study investigates whether a revised and extended FIS-scoring leads to more differentiation in measuring therapists' interpersonal skills. Furthermore, we explorative examine whether subgroups of therapists can be distinguished in terms of differences in their interpersonal responses. METHOD: Using secondary data analysis, 93 therapists were exposed to seven FIS-clips. Responses of therapists using the original and the extended FIS scoring were rated. RESULTS: Three factors were found on the extended FIS scoring distinguishing supportive, expressive, and persuasive interpersonal responses of therapists. A latent profile analysis enlightened the presence of six subgroups of therapists. CONCLUSION: Using the revised and extended FIS-scoring contributes to our understanding of the role of interpersonal skills in the therapeutic setting by unraveling the question what works for whom.

Authors 7

1. Sabine Van Thiel corresponding

   Tilburg University · GGZ Westelijk Noord-Brabant

   Affiliation as printed

   Mental Health Institute GGZ WNB Bergen op Zoom The Netherlands

   Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo–Academic Collaborative Center Work & Health Tilburg University Tilburg The Netherlands

2. Kim de Jong Aachen Institute of Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands Institute of Psychology, Leiden University

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands

   Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Kirsten S. Misset Aachen Institute of Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands Institute of Psychology, Leiden University

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands

   Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

4. Margot C. W. Joosen

   Tilburg University

   Affiliation as printed

   Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo–Academic Collaborative Center Work & Health Tilburg University Tilburg The Netherlands

5. Jac J. L. van der Klink

   Tilburg University · North-West University

   Affiliation as printed

   Optentia, North West University of South Africa Potchefstroom South Africa

   Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo–Academic Collaborative Center Work & Health Tilburg University Tilburg The Netherlands

6. Jeroen Kornelis Vermunt

   Tilburg University

   Affiliation as printed

   Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo–Academic Collaborative Center Work & Health Tilburg University Tilburg The Netherlands

7. Arno van Dam

   Tilburg University · GGZ Westelijk Noord-Brabant

   Affiliation as printed

   Mental Health Institute GGZ WNB Bergen op Zoom The Netherlands

   Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo–Academic Collaborative Center Work & Health Tilburg University Tilburg The Netherlands