Mental Health Professionals’ Attitudes toward Clients with Antisocial Personality Disorder: An Exploratory Study

Authors

Edward T. Dunbar Jr., Montana State UniversityFollow
Shari M. Sias, East Carolina UniversityFollow
Stephen Leierer, East Carolina UniversityFollow
William L. Atherton, East Carolina UniversityFollow
Robert J. Campbell, East Carolina UniversityFollow
Lloyd R. Goodwin Jr, East Carolina UniversityFollow

Document Type

Empirical Research Article

Keywords

antisocial personality disorder, mental health professionals, attitudes, counselor education, clinical supervision

Subject Area

Clinical Supervision, Counseling, Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling

Abstract

This exploratory study examined mental health professionals’ attitudes toward clients with antisocial personality disorder. Specifically, are mental health professionals’ attitudes influenced by (a) personal experiences with criminal victimization, or (b) contact with clients with antisocial personality disorder. A factorial MANOVA and follow-up univariate ANOVAs revealed a statistically significant main effect in relation to participants’ level of clinical contact with clients having antisocial personality disorder. Participants with higher levels of clinical contact were associated with more positive attitudes towards clients. Implications for mental health professionals, supervisors, and counselor educators are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Recommended Citation

Dunbar, E. T., Sias, S. M., Leierer, S., Atherton, W. L., Campbell, R. J., & Goodwin, L. R. (2019). Mental Health Professionals’ Attitudes toward Clients with Antisocial Personality Disorder: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 12(3). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/jcps/vol12/iss3/4