The Supervisory Relationship as a Triangle: A Study of Students' Perceptions

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative examination of the supervisory relationship among a field supervisor and multiple students. It examines the perceptions of 75 students regarding differences in their field supervisors' treatment of and relationship with them and their cosupervisees, and the association between their perceptions and their relationships with their cosupervisees. The main findings are that most supervisees (a) perceived differences in their supervisor's treatment of or relationship with them and their cosupervisees and (b) their perceptions of the comparative treatment or relationship tended to be associated with the quality of their relationships with their cosupervisees. Findings highlight the need for supervisors to be aware of supervisees' sensitivity not only to their supervisor's behaviour toward the supervisee, but also to their behaviour toward cosupervisees.