Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

“Man ska vara beredd och inte känna sig sjuk i huvudet när det händer” En explorativ studie om psykologers erfarenheter och hantering av sexuell attraktion i klientarbetet

Doverhed, Sara LU and Schaffrath, Louise LU (2018) PSPR14 20172
Department of Psychology
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine psychologists' experiences of, attitudes towards and handling of sexual attraction towards clients. This was explored by semi-structured interviews with five psychologists and an online survey with 293 participants. According to the results of the survey, the majority had experienced sexual attraction to at least one client and it was most common among participants who identified themselves as men. Many experienced the subject as taboo, while the majority of the respondents did not perceive these feelings as unethical. The interview data was analyzed using thematic analysis and six main themes were identified. Psychologists described strong reactions in relation to their attraction: both positive... (More)
The aim of this study was to examine psychologists' experiences of, attitudes towards and handling of sexual attraction towards clients. This was explored by semi-structured interviews with five psychologists and an online survey with 293 participants. According to the results of the survey, the majority had experienced sexual attraction to at least one client and it was most common among participants who identified themselves as men. Many experienced the subject as taboo, while the majority of the respondents did not perceive these feelings as unethical. The interview data was analyzed using thematic analysis and six main themes were identified. Psychologists described strong reactions in relation to their attraction: both positive feelings and shame. Often the attraction was accompanied by doubt about their own professionalism. The attraction was primarily handled by self-reflection and acceptance, along with consulting a carefully selected colleague. The psychologists called for inclusive and nuanced discussions on the subject, preferably in more contexts than in ethics courses. Being relationally equipped, confident in one’s own sexuality and having reflected upon one’s principles and boundaries was experienced as helpful when the attraction occurred. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Studiens syfte var att undersöka psykologers attityder till, erfarenheter och hantering av sexuell attraktion till klienter. Detta undersöktes genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem psykologer samt en internetbaserad enkät med 293 deltagare. Enkätstudiens resultat visade att majoriteten av deltagarna upplevt sexuell attraktion till åtminstonde en klient och vanligast var det bland deltagare som identifierade sig som män. Många upplevde ämnet som tabubelagt och svårt att prata om, samtidigt som majoriteten av enkätdeltagarna inte uppfattade känslorna som oetiska. Intervjumaterialet analyserades med tematisk analys och sex huvudteman identifierades: Då uppstod sexuell attraktion, Dubbla känslor inför attraktionen, Svårt att prata om det,... (More)
Studiens syfte var att undersöka psykologers attityder till, erfarenheter och hantering av sexuell attraktion till klienter. Detta undersöktes genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem psykologer samt en internetbaserad enkät med 293 deltagare. Enkätstudiens resultat visade att majoriteten av deltagarna upplevt sexuell attraktion till åtminstonde en klient och vanligast var det bland deltagare som identifierade sig som män. Många upplevde ämnet som tabubelagt och svårt att prata om, samtidigt som majoriteten av enkätdeltagarna inte uppfattade känslorna som oetiska. Intervjumaterialet analyserades med tematisk analys och sex huvudteman identifierades: Då uppstod sexuell attraktion, Dubbla känslor inför attraktionen, Svårt att prata om det, Tydliggörande av yrkesrollen, ramar och gränser, Att låta känslan få finnas samt Det viktiga förebyggande arbetet. Psykologerna vittnade om egna starka reaktioner i samband med attraktionskänslorna: både positiva känslor och skam. Ofta var attraktionen kopplad till tvivel på den egna kompetensen. Attraktionen hanterades främst genom självreflektion och acceptans och flera konsulterade en noga utvald kollega. Psykologerna efterlyste inkluderande och nyanserade samtal om ämnet under psykologutbildningen, gärna i fler sammanhang än i etikundervisningen. Att vara relationellt rustad, trygg i sin sexualitet och att ha tänkt igenom sina principer och gränser upplevdes som hjälpsamt när attraktionen uppstod. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Doverhed, Sara LU and Schaffrath, Louise LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSPR14 20172
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
psykologarbete, sexuell attraktion, yrkesetik, mixade metoder, tematisk analys, psychological practice, sexual attraction, professional ethics, mixed methods, thematic analysis
language
Swedish
id
8933174
date added to LUP
2018-01-22 09:30:26
date last changed
2018-01-22 09:30:26
@misc{8933174,
  abstract     = {{The aim of this study was to examine psychologists' experiences of, attitudes towards and handling of sexual attraction towards clients. This was explored by semi-structured interviews with five psychologists and an online survey with 293 participants. According to the results of the survey, the majority had experienced sexual attraction to at least one client and it was most common among participants who identified themselves as men. Many experienced the subject as taboo, while the majority of the respondents did not perceive these feelings as unethical. The interview data was analyzed using thematic analysis and six main themes were identified. Psychologists described strong reactions in relation to their attraction: both positive feelings and shame. Often the attraction was accompanied by doubt about their own professionalism. The attraction was primarily handled by self-reflection and acceptance, along with consulting a carefully selected colleague. The psychologists called for inclusive and nuanced discussions on the subject, preferably in more contexts than in ethics courses. Being relationally equipped, confident in one’s own sexuality and having reflected upon one’s principles and boundaries was experienced as helpful when the attraction occurred.}},
  author       = {{Doverhed, Sara and Schaffrath, Louise}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{“Man ska vara beredd och inte känna sig sjuk i huvudet när det händer” En explorativ studie om psykologers erfarenheter och hantering av sexuell attraktion i klientarbetet}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}