Abstract
The goal of this research was to develop an instrument, the Supervisory Styles Index (SSI), that would examine supervisory style. Style has been described as the way in which the personality and convictions of the supervisor are demonstrated in the supervisory relationship (Leighton, 1991). This study focuses on the interplay between supervisory style and the influence of sex and gender. The findings of this study reveal that female supervisees discern their supervisors to be more self-disclosing than do male supervisees. Implications of the findings and utilization of the index are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alderfer, C. J., & Lynch, B. (1986). Supervision in two dimensions.Journal of Strategic and Systemic Therapies, 5, 70–73.
Ault-Riche, M. (1988). Teaching an integrated model of family therapy: Women as students, women as supervisors. In L. Braverman (Ed.),A guide to feminist family therapy (pp. 175–192). New York: Harrington Park Press.
Bem, S. L. (1974). The measurement of psychological androgyny.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42, 155–162.
Booth, A., & Hess, E. (1974). Cross-sex friendship.Journal of Marriage and the Family, 36, 38–47.
Brock, G. W., & Sibbald, S. (1988). Supervision in AAMFT accredited programs: Supervisee perceptions and preferences.The American Journal of Family Therapy, 16, 256–261.
Caldwell, M. A., & Peplau, L. A. (1982). Sex differences in same-sex friendships.Sex Roles, 8, 721–732.
Colapinto, J. (1988). Teaching the structural way. In H. A. Liddle, D. C. Breunlin, & R. C. Schwartz (Eds.),Handbook of family therapy training and supervision (pp. 17–37). New York: Guildord.
Fisch, R. (1988). Training in the brief therapy model. In H. A. Liddle, D. C. Breunlin, & R. C. Schwartz (Eds.),Handbook of family therapy training and supervision (pp. 78–92). New York: Guilford.
Goodrich, T. J., Rampage, C., Ellman, B., & Halstead, K. (1988).Feminist family therapy: A casebook. New York: W. W. Norton.
Goodyear, R. K. (1990). Gender configurations in supervisory dyads: Their relationship to supervisee influence strategies and to skill evaluations of the supervisee.The Clinical Supervisor 8, 67–79.
Kadushin, A. (1974). Supervisor-supervisee: A survey.Social Work, 19, 288–297.
Kaiser, T. L. (1992). The supervisory relationship: An identification of the primary elements in the relationship and an application of two theories of ethical relationships.Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 18, 283–296.
Leighton, J. (1991). Gender stereotyping in supervisory styles.Psychoanalytic Review, 78, 347–363.
Libow, J. A. (1986). Training family therapists as feminists. In M. Ault-Riche (Ed.),Women and family therapy (pp. 16–24). Rockville, MD: Aspen.
Libow, J. A., Raskin, P. A., & Caust, B. L. (1982). Feminists and family systems therapy: Are they irreconcilable?.American Journal of Family Therapy, 10, 3–12.
Liddle, H. A., Breunlin, D. C., & Schwartz, R. C. (Eds.). (1988).Handbook of family therapy training and supervision. New York: Guilford.
Mazza, J. (1988). Training strategic therapists: The use of indirect techniques. In H. A. Liddle, D. C. Bruenlin, & R. C. Schwartz (Eds.),Handbook of family therapy training and supervision (pp. 93–109). New York: Guilford.
McDaniel, S. H., Weber, T., & McKeever, J. (1983). Multiple theoretical approaches to supervision: Choices in family therapy training.Family Process, 22, 491–500.
Nelson, M. L., & Holloway, E. L. (1990). Relation of gender to power and involvement in supervision.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 37, 437–481.
Nichols, W. C. (1988). An integrative psychodynamic and systems approach. In H. A. Liddle, D. C. Bruenlin, & R. C. Schwartz (Eds.),Handbook of family therapy training and supervision (pp. 110–127). New York: Guilford.
Papero, D. V. (1988). Training in Bowen theory. In H. A. Liddle, D. C. Bruenlin, & R. C. Schwartz (Eds.),Handbook of family therapy training and supervision (pp. 62–77). New York: Guilford.
Pirrotta, S., & Cecchin, G. (1988). The Milan training program. In H. A. Liddle, D. C. Breunlin, & R. C. Schwartz (Eds.),Handbook of family therapy training and supervision (pp. 38–61). New York: Guilford.
Putney, M. W., Worthington, Jr., E. L., McCullough, M. E. (1992). Effects of supervisor and supervisee theoretical orientation and supervisor-supervisee matching on interns' perceptions of supervision.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 39, 258–265.
Rosenblatt, A., & Mayer, J. E. (1975). Objectionable supervisory styles: Student views.Social Work, 20, 184–188.
Sapadin, L. A. (1988). Friendship and gender: Perspectives of professional men and women.Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 5, 387–403.
Schiavone, C. D. (1988). Influences of attributed expertness and gender in counselor supervision.Dissertation Abstracts International, 48, 2794.
Schwartz, R. C. (1988). The trainer-trainee relationship in family therapy training. In H. A. Liddle, D. C. Bruenlin, & R. C. Schwartz (Eds.),Handbook of family therapy training and supervision (pp. 172–182). New York: Guilford.
Sternberg, R. L. (1994). What is the relation of gender to biology and environment?: An evolutionary model of how what you answer depends on just what you ask. In A. E. Beall & R. J. Sternberg (Eds.),The psychology of gender (pp. 1–6). New York: Guilford.
Stoltenberg, C. (1981). Approaching supervision from a developmental perspective: The counselor complexity model.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 28, 59–65.
Taibbi, R. (1990). Integrated family therapy: A model for supervision.The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, Nov., 542–549.
Twohey, D., & Volker, J. (1993). Listening for the voices of care and justice in counselor supervision.Counselor Education and Supervision, 32, 189–197.
Wetchler, J. L. (1989). Supervisors' and supervisees' perceptions of the effectiveness of family therapy supervisor interpersonal skills.The American Journal of Family Therapy, 17, 244–256.
Wetchler, J. L., Piercy, F. P., & Sprenkle, D. H. (1989). Supervisors' and supervisees' perceptions of the effectiveness of family therapy supervisory techniques. TheAmerican Journal of Family Therapy, 17, 35–47.
Wheeler, D., Avis, J. M., Miller, L. A.,& Chaney, S. (1985). Rethinking family therapy education and supervision: A feminist model.Journal of Psychotherapy and the Family, 1, 53–71.
Worthington, Jr., E. L., & Stern, A. (1985). Effects of supervisoryand supervisee degree level and gender on the supervisory relationship.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 32, 252–262.
Wright, P. H. (1989). Gender differences in adults' same- and cross-gender friendships. In R. Adams and R. Blieszner (Eds.)Older adult friendship: Structure and process (pp. 197–221). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Long, J.K., Lawless, J.J. & Dotson, D.R. Supervisory styles index: Examining supervisees' perceptions of Supervisory Style. Contemp Fam Ther 18, 589–606 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02195719
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02195719