Confidence in case formulation and pluralism as predictors of psychologists’ tolerance of uncertainty

ABSTRACT

The role of a practicing psychologist often involves uncertainty and ambiguity, and individuals differ in their ability to manage or “tolerate” this uncertainty. This study investigated the relationship between tolerance of uncertainty, pluralism and confidence in case formulation in a sample of Australian psychologists. The sample consisted of 190 Australian psychologists, aged between 22 and 69 years (M = 30.48, SD = 8.04) and comprising mostly females (77.9%). This study had a cross-sectional survey design in which participants completed measures of uncertainty tolerance, pluralism and confidence in case formulation. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to predict tolerance to uncertainty. The final regression model was significant and explained 39.1% of the variance in tolerance of uncertainty. The predictor variables that contributed significantly to the model were therapeutic orientation, age, pluralistic practice and confidence in case formulation. Stage of career and pluralistic philosophy did not contribute significantly to the model. Higher pluralistic practice and confidence in case formulation skills are related to higher tolerance of uncertainty. Training in pluralistic models of therapy and the hypothesis generation approach to case formulation may offer the potential to increase uncertainty tolerance in practicing psychologists.

KEYWORDS:

• Psychologists
• practicing psychology
• case formulation
• pluralistic philosophy
• pluralistic practice
• tolerance of uncertainty

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elly Quinlan

Elly Quinlan, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the Discipline of Psychological Sciences at the Australian College of Applied Psychology. Her research focuses on professional psychology training, tolerance of uncertainty, mental health carers, recovery based approaches and interpersonal problems.

Frank P. Deane

Frank P. Deane is an Honorary Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Wollongong. He has worked in a range of clinical and academic positions in New Zealand, USA, and Australia. He taught in professional psychology programs for over 25 years and has an interest in clinical training and supervision. His research interests include effectiveness of mental health and substance abuse services, the role of therapeutic homework on treatment outcomes and help seeking for mental health and substance abuse problems.

Suzanne Schilder

Suzanne Schilder is a Registered Psychologist, working in clinical practice and in early career research roles. Her research experience is in investigating tolerance of uncertainty in practising psychologists.

Ellen Read

Ellen Read is a Registered Psychologist, working in assessment and therapeutic intervention for children, adolescents, and families. Ellen is developing early career research experience, with interests including tolerance of uncertainty, early-career psychologists, interpersonal problems, and childhood development.