Older patients’ perspectives on the therapeutic relationship with young psychotherapists
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Older patients’ perspectives on the therapeutic relationship with young psychotherapists. / Boschann, Annika; Staats, Hermann; Wiegand-Grefe, Silke.
In: PLOS ONE, Vol. 19, No. 5, 24.05.2024, p. e0295834.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Older patients’ perspectives on the therapeutic relationship with young psychotherapists
AU - Boschann, Annika
AU - Staats, Hermann
AU - Wiegand-Grefe, Silke
PY - 2024/5/24
Y1 - 2024/5/24
N2 - The current demographic change means that young psychotherapists and older patients will increasingly come into contact. Unique for this constellation is the intergenerational therapeutic relationship, which forms the basis of psychotherapy, but has not yet been the focus of empirical research. This qualitative study provides preliminary insights into how older patients (aged over 65) experience and perceive the therapeutic relationship with young psychotherapists (aged in their mid-20s to mid-30s). We conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve older patients (8 women, 4 men) and analysed their data using the grounded theory approach. We found a connection between the type of transference a participant demonstrated and their biographical as well as social experiences, desires, and fantasies. Overall, a tendency to seek harmony was observed among the participants, which was reflected in their behaviour towards young psychotherapists: (a) conflict avoidance, (b) (fantasised) therapy discontinuation, (c) adaption/subordination, and (d) solidarity, support, and protection. Our findings demonstrated that various intergenerational transference phenomena, including the roles in which young therapists are perceived, are associated with certain particularities and challenges, such as the topic of sexuality. It can be valuable for young psychotherapists to become aware of a potential role reversal that may result in older patients trying to support them.
AB - The current demographic change means that young psychotherapists and older patients will increasingly come into contact. Unique for this constellation is the intergenerational therapeutic relationship, which forms the basis of psychotherapy, but has not yet been the focus of empirical research. This qualitative study provides preliminary insights into how older patients (aged over 65) experience and perceive the therapeutic relationship with young psychotherapists (aged in their mid-20s to mid-30s). We conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve older patients (8 women, 4 men) and analysed their data using the grounded theory approach. We found a connection between the type of transference a participant demonstrated and their biographical as well as social experiences, desires, and fantasies. Overall, a tendency to seek harmony was observed among the participants, which was reflected in their behaviour towards young psychotherapists: (a) conflict avoidance, (b) (fantasised) therapy discontinuation, (c) adaption/subordination, and (d) solidarity, support, and protection. Our findings demonstrated that various intergenerational transference phenomena, including the roles in which young therapists are perceived, are associated with certain particularities and challenges, such as the topic of sexuality. It can be valuable for young psychotherapists to become aware of a potential role reversal that may result in older patients trying to support them.
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0295834
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0295834
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 38743763
VL - 19
SP - e0295834
JO - PLOS ONE
JF - PLOS ONE
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 5
ER -