Exploration of value dimensions from client therapist compatibility research

Abstract

Past research suggests that development of a compatible client therapist relationship is enhanced when the client and therapist share certain values. The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of the value dimensions that have been identified. It was hypothesized that Spiegel's value orientation profile (Spiegel, 1985) would provide a reasonable representation of the structure of these value dimensions. The World Values Scale (Ibrahim & Kahn, 1986) and the Value Orientation Profile were administered to a sample of 121 students to assess their position on the dimensions from Spiegel's model. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that Spiegel's model appeared to provide a poor fit to the data from both instruments. Two one factor models were then tested assessing value placed on achievement and philosophical concerns respectively. These models were found to provide a good fit to the data. Future research is needed to further validate these models with different populations in different settings.