This research study investigated the influence of client motivation on the therapeutic relationship and self-stigma, and the association of the therapeutic relationship and self-stigma. It was...Show moreThis research study investigated the influence of client motivation on the therapeutic relationship and self-stigma, and the association of the therapeutic relationship and self-stigma. It was conducted with an online questionnaire that has been answered by individuals with therapeutic experience, aimed to measure their motivation and attitudes towards their therapeutic experience. It was expected that more intrinsically motivated clients would have a better therapeutic relationship and less self-stigma than more externally motivated clients, because they may engage in more self-disclosure and personal fulfilment that builds a better relationship. Results showed this significant influence of client motivation on the therapeutic relationship. But no significant influence of client motivation on self-stigma were found, which did not align with the expectation that more intrinsically motivated clients would experience less self-stigma due to their autonomously supportive experience in therapy. Contrary to another expectation and literature, the relationship of the therapeutic relationship and self-stigma was not significant, which may be explained by the unbalanced sample. This unbalance arose due to limited time of data collection and small sample groups. Explorative correlations provided additional insights that more intrinsically motivated groups have differing associations with the therapeutic relationship compared to externally or amotivated groups. Although the research study was limited by unbalanced sampling, it is suggested that more intrinsically motivated clients have a better therapeutic relationship and self-stigma may be a universal influence on all clients with differing motivation levels.Show less
