All about impressions: Effects of perceived therapist physical attractiveness, perceived age difference between the therapist and the client, and client self-esteem on client self-disclosure

Ng, Jasvinda

All about impressions: Effects of perceived therapist physical attractiveness, perceived age difference between the therapist and the client, and client self-esteem on client self-disclosure

Author(s)

Ng, Jasvinda

Date Issued

2013

Publisher

Hong Kong: Hong Kong Shue Yan University

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/2242

Description

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.) -- Hong Kong Shue Yan University, 2013.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 59-65).

viii, 79 p.

Type

Thesis

Programme

Master of Social Sciences in Counselling Psychology

Abstract

Existing literature has revealed the halo effects of physical attractiveness and age. This dissertation aimed to investigate whether clients’ first impression of therapists influences clients’ self-disclosure. Ninety female and 39 male Chinese young adults (18 - 31 years) completed a self-report inventory of self-disclosure by referring to a scenario and a female photo. Subjective ratings of participants on therapists’ physical attractiveness were used. Results indicated that both male and female participants rated a self-perceived physically more attractive therapist more favourably. Female participants disclosed more to a more attractive therapist. It was suggested that perceived therapists’ physical attractiveness directly or indirectly enhanced participants’ self-disclosure by means of increasing participants’ comfort level and perceptions of therapists’ trustworthiness. The perceived much older therapist was rated less attractive than the slightly older therapist. When attractiveness was controlled, participants disclosed more on some topics to the much older therapist. Effects of therapists’ attractiveness appeared to be stronger among individuals with average self-esteem than individuals with low self-esteem. Moreover, the negative association between female participants’ self-esteem and therapists’ attractiveness scores suggested a possible self-evaluation or comparison of appearance in front of a same-sex therapist. Therapists are recommended to be more aware of how their appearance may influence their clients’ feelings and behaviours (including self-disclosure).

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Size

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Format

Adobe PDF

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All about impressions: Effects of perceived therapist physical attractiveness, perceived age difference between the therapist and the client, and client self-esteem on client self-disclosure

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