Client Interpersonal Style and Working Alliance: A Regression Analysis Examining Relationships Between Clients and Rehabilitation Counselors

Strong working alliance is a critical part of rehabilitation counseling, yet few studies have explored client predictors of alliance. Based on interpersonal theory, this study investigated the relationship between client interpersonal problems and working alliance during vocational rehabilitation. A sample of 325 individuals with disabilities from two state vocational rehabilitation agencies participated in the study. Bivariate analyses showed that greater interpersonal problems were associated with weaker working alliance. In a hierarchical regression analysis, submissive/hostile interpersonal problems significantly predicted lower working alliance scores. These findings suggest that interpersonal problems, such as social withdrawal and emotional disengagement, impede the development of working alliance. The results support the integration of interpersonal assessments and alliance-focused strategies into rehabilitation counseling to enhance engagement and improve client outcomes.