Pervasive ceiling effect in Supervisory Working Alliance Measurement: An exploratory meta-analysis

This study explored the extent that Supervisory Working Alliance (SWA) scores may be subject to ceiling effect. A meta-analysis of 75 SWA scores found a mean ceiling effect estimate (CEE) of 1.51, indicating that scores averaged 1.5 SDs below the score cap. Approximately 92% of scores had evidence of ceiling bias. Supplementary analysis found significant differences in ceiling effect existed among common SWA scales and that international samples evidenced lower ceiling effect than U.S. samples. Authors concluded that SWA scores have been subject to attenuation effects caused by restricted range and the influence of the SWA has likely been underestimated.