Supervisor social skill and supervision outcome

Abstract

Background: The practice of clinical supervision is considered an effective procedure to achieve a variety of professional outcomes for supervisees. Supervisory alliance mediates many of the learning outcomes thought important for effective supervision. Therefore, it is important to identity supervisor characteristics that relate to the capacity to develop a positive supervisory alliance and achieve supervision outcome. Aim: Supervisor interpersonal skill was investigated as a characteristic involved with both supervisee assessment of supervisory alliance and learning outcomes of supervision. Method: Forty supervisors completed assessments for interpersonal skill and provided 8 sessions of supervision to 50 supervisees. Supervisees completed assessments for supervisory alliance and supervision evaluation. Findings: Supervisor interpersonal skill predicted supervisee rated supervisory alliance and supervision outcome. Implications: Supervisor interpersonal skill is important for the capacity to develop a positive supervisory alliance and manage the learning environment of supervision.

Keywords:

• supervision
• supervisory alliance
• social skills
• learning outcomes
• supervision structure
• supervision outcome

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matthew Bambling

Matthew Bambling is a Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry and Course Coordinator for the postgraduate mental health programmes for the University of Queensland, School of Medicine. Matthew has published in the fields of supervision, psychotherapy outcome and health.

Robert King

Robert King is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Queensland University of Technology, School of Psychology where he coordinates the school's clinical psychology programmes. Robert has a distinguished career in mental health, psychotherapy and mental health service research.