Female MSW Students' Satisfaction with Practicum Supervision: The Effect of Supervisor Gender

Abstract

This report of a spring 1995 study involving 78 female MSW students at the University of Georgia compares the degrees of satisfaction with field practicum supervision of those with female and male field instructors respectively, using previously published measures of supervision satisfaction. One statistically significant but practically unimportant difference was revealed favoring male supervisors. The results are discussed in terms of past literature on gender in clinical supervision; areas for future research are also suggested. The little existing empirical research appears to support a gender-neutral policy for matching MSW students with practicum supervisors.

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Notes on contributors

M. Elizabeth Vonk

M. Elizabeth Vonk is a social work doctoral candidate, University of Georgia; Ellen Zucrow is a practicing social worker in Atlanta, Georgia; and Bruce A. Thyer is professor, University of Georgia.

Ellen Zucrow

M. Elizabeth Vonk is a social work doctoral candidate, University of Georgia; Ellen Zucrow is a practicing social worker in Atlanta, Georgia; and Bruce A. Thyer is professor, University of Georgia.

Bruce A. Thyer

M. Elizabeth Vonk is a social work doctoral candidate, University of Georgia; Ellen Zucrow is a practicing social worker in Atlanta, Georgia; and Bruce A. Thyer is professor, University of Georgia.