Donald L. Boswell

Factors influencing therapist selection among gays, lesbians and bisexuals

Abstract For this study 609 gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals were surveyed with respect to openness about sexual orientation and preference for a therapist with a particular sexual orientation. Other factors considered important in selecting a therapist such as licensure, referral source, gender, cost and specialty were also examined. Data for this study was collected using two different methods. In the first method, data was collected from respondents subscribing to internet listervers serving gay, lesbian and bisexual subscribers. In the second, more traditional method, surveys were distributed by mail or hand delivered to various organizations serving gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities in two southwestern states. Findings suggest that significantly more lesbians than gay men and bisexuals in the e-mail sample prefer a therapist of the same sexual orientation. No significant relationships were found between degree of openness and importance of the therapists sexual orientation. Other factors r...

The clinical significance of symptom denial among women with anorexia nervosa: Another disposable myth?

Abstract The denial of illness or symptoms among women with anorexia nervosa is a widely recognized phenomenon. In the current study we compared women with anorexia nervosa who denied their symptoms (deniers, n = 29) to those who did not (admitters, n = 76) with regard to several clinically relevant variables, including personality features and outcome at 12-month follow-up. At intake, we found that the two groups did not differ with regard to age, age at onset of eating disturbance, body weight, or likelihood of having been in treatment before. Admitters had greater duration of restrictive eating and were somewhat more likely to experience bulimic symptoms. At 12-month follow-up, the two groups did not differ with regard to body weight, length of time in treatment, or outcome. Relative to admitters, deniers exhibited greater sociability and confidence. Admitters demonstrated greater levels of social disinterest and discomfort, and pessimism, compared to deniers. Results are discussed with regard to clini...

Validity of Rorschach Inanimate Movement and Diffuse Shading Responses as Measures of Frustration and Anxiety

The purpose of this study was to validate Rorschach inanimate movement and diffuse shading responses as measures of frustration and anxiety. 48 subjects were assigned into four cells of no treatment, frustration condition, anxiety condition, and a combination of both the frustration and anxiety conditions in a 2 × 2 (anxiety by frustration) design. Two-way analyses of variance of the influence of anxiety and frustration on inanimate movement responses and shading responses gave no significant main effects or interactions. Also, no significant relationships were found between state anxiety scores and inanimate movement or shading responses.

Factors in Clients' Selection of Mental Health Providers

The present study was designed to identify factors people consider when selecting a mental health provider. Participants were 303 customers in a shopping mall. They responded to a questionnaire of three sections, demographic information, a test of knowledge of mental health providers qualifications and training, and 21 items rated on importance in such selection. Responses to the 21 items were subjected to a principal components factor analysis. The factor scores were then used in a series of analyses to examine their relation with other variables. A decision-making model for choosing a mental health provider is proposed.