My Hot Trainer is the Reason I'm Motivated to Workout

November 7, 2007 3:27 PM

Where can I find plain language research results about emotional attachments to care workers?

In general, I'm interested in articles about the process of how/why individuals develop emotional attachments to care workers. e.g.: physical fitness trainer, therapist, doctor, mentor, etc. Specifically, I'd like to find information that covers the range of the different types of attachments: crushes vs. stalker depth. Physical fitness trainer is the profession I'm most curious about. What is it about the profession of fitness training that lends itself to the cliché of women being infatuated with their instructor? Personal anecdotes are welcome.

posted by chase to human relations (4 comments total)

What cliche? I've never heard or read anything indicating women get infatuated with their personal trainers. Are you trying to start a rumor?
posted by 45moore45 at 3:29 PM on November 7, 2007

I've seen the cliché mostly used in movies and TV. (However, I can't think of any specific examples, at the moment.) I'm mostly interested the process of individuals getting attached to their care worker.
posted by chase at 3:37 PM on November 7, 2007

I've seen the cliché mostly used in movies and TV.

Personal Best.
posted by jamjam at 3:53 PM on November 7, 2007

I assume the trainer infatuation would be mainly, or at least initially, a physical attraction?
I'm a massage therapist and I used to do telephone counseling. I have experienced transference from clients in both of these roles.
I don't have any articles to hand right now, but I would suggest you google "transference" along with the professions that you're interested in. I think Massage Magazine did an article on transference and counter-transference a few months ago. I had a quick look at their web site, but couldn't see the article online.
posted by goshling at 3:54 AM on November 9, 2007