Supervisor versus self‐assessment of trainee competence: Differences across developmental stages and competency domains

Objectives: This research aimed to systematically examine supervisor–trainee differences in assessments of trainee competencies across domains and developmental stages. Methods: Trainees and supervisors (N = 141 dyads) independently rated trainee performance at the end of placements using the Clinical Psychology Competencies Rating Scale. Based on the number of placement hours completed at the time competence was assessed, the 141 trainees were assigned to three developmental levels (61, 42, and 31 in the groups, respectively). Trajectories of 10 different competencies and trainee–supervisor differences for these competencies were examined across three developmental levels. Results: Compared to their supervisor ratings, trainees underestimated their competence during early stages of training, with this discrepancy reducing at Level 2 and reversing into an overestimation at Level 3. Compared to their own ratings for overall competence, trainees rated Relational and Communication, Reflective Practice, and Professionalism domains as relative strengths, and rated their competence on assessment and intervention domains as relative weaknesses. Conclusion: Growth trajectories derived from supervisor assessments were much flatter than trajectories derived from trainee assessments. As predicted by the impostor theory of practitioner development, trainees significantly underestimated their competence early in training. The trend for trainees to overestimate their competence toward the end of their training is a potential concern that warrants further research

It's the thought that counts: craving metacognitions and their role in abstinence from methamphetamine use

Craving is frequently reported as a trigger for relapse by those trying to remain abstinent from psychoactive substances. Metacognitive beliefs about managing craving may play an important role in determining further cognition and behavior. They are, therefore, important to measure in treatment and may serve as target cognitions to be modified in support of behavioral change. As part of the assessment battery of a randomized controlled trial among 214 methamphetamine users, we included the Craving Beliefs Questionnaire (CBQ), a measure designed to assess an individual's perception of the potential negative impact of craving, at baseline. Changes in abstinence rates were significantly related to CBQ score, suggesting that craving beliefs are associated with changes in methamphetamine use. Further validation of the CBQ is warranted. Future clinical research among methamphetamine users could focus on directly manipulating craving beliefs through cognitive therapy to affect abstinence