Life style analysis from the individual’s perspective

This study sought to explore the Adlerian concept of life style analysis as experienced by the client. The population consisted of eight volunteer clients in therapy at a Mental Health Center. A life style analysis was conducted with each subject in two 2-hour sessions. Following the use of a cued memory technique, qualitative and quantitative data were collected for descriptive analysis. Qualitative data were collected through questions following each section of the life style analysis. Quantitative data were obtained using a semantic differential consisting of 12 bi-polar adjectives. Results for each subject were discussed in a case study format. Similarities and differences among subjects were outlined. The findings of this exploratory study were discussed. An unexpected finding was that the questions intended to elicit the experiences of the subjects tended to heighten those experiences and increase the potency of the life style procedure. The results of this study are useful for counsellors and therapists using and teaching life style analysis. They also give support to Adlerian theory regarding the life style concept.Education, Faculty ofEducational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department ofGraduat