Counselor intentionality: An emerging view of process and performance.

Contends that intentionality, viewed as a trait related to counselor functioning and performance, is an emerging perceptual construct that is important for counseling research. Differing definitions of intentionality focus on bipolarity, unintentional functions, and being trapped in one intentionality. Empirical studies have shown that counselor behavior is perceived as counselor intention and that counselor ratings of counselor response helpfulness were not predictive of client perceptions; client ratings were not predictive of counselor perceptions of response helpfulness either, but trained observers significantly predicted both client and counselor ratings. It is suggested that a more clearly defined and measured construct of intentionality could be used to distinguish levels of professional functioning in counselors. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential helpfulness of counselor verbal response modes.

28 counselor–client dyads (analog sample consisting of 15 graduate students and faculty and 28 undergraduates) and 16 client–counselor dyads (counseling sample) rated the helpfulness of particular counselor responses in just-completed counseling sessions, using Interpersonal Process Recall. In the counseling sample, counselors also rated the helpfulness of the same responses. The responses were measured for type of response made by objective raters, clients, and counselors. Interpretations received the highest helpfulness ratings from both client and counselor. Advisements were rated as slightly more helpful than nonadvisements, and questions were rated as slightly less helpful than nonquestions. However, counselor response modes account for only a small proportion of the variance in helpfulness ratings, which points out the need for research on contextual variables and response mode subtypes. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counselor and helpee perceptions of counselor intentions in relation to outcome in a single counseling session.

Determined whether counseling session could be predicted from different variables (i.e., counselor intentions, helpee's perceptions of counselor's intentions, match between counselor and helpee on intentions), focusing on counselors' and helpees' perceptions. Four 32–43 yr old experienced counselors each saw 4 undergraduate helpees for single 50 min counseling sessions. Counselors and helpees evaluated sessions and then reviewed videotapes during which counselors identified their intentions and helpees rated the helpfulness for each counselor turn. Results indicate that helpees perceived more intentions to support, focus, and clarify and less self-control and resistance than counselors had intended. The highest match between counselors and helpees occurred for getting information, setting limits, and clarifying. Helpees' ratings of helpfulness were highest for counselors' intentions involving needs, resistance, cognitions, and relationships, and lowest for setting limits, getting information, supporting, and focusing. Session outcome was related to different counselor and client perceptions, indicating that participants valued different events within sessions. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A note on job performance: Differences between respondent and nonrespondent salesmen to an attitude survey.

Salesmen respondents (N = 72) and nonrespondents (N = 19) to a mail attitude questionnaire were compared in terms of 2 objective measures of performance: net sales points and net total points. Mean scores on both measures were significantly higher for respondents than for nonrespondents. These results tended to follow results of other studies in nonindustrial settings that suggested volunteers or respondents are, in general, "better" persons in terms of such variables as motivation, personality and, in this case, job performance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Client and counselor characteristics and engagement in counseling.

Examined relations among various client and counselor characteristics and engagement in counseling for more than 1 session with 5 female and 4 male practicum counselors and 203 of their clients (128 women, 75 men) who had come to a university counseling center for the 1st time. After the initial interview, clients rated counselors' interest, helpfulness, competence, warmth, and genuineness; counselors rated clients' verbalness, intelligence, capacity for insight, likability, and the severity of clients' problems. Clients also indicated the extent to which counselors identified concerns for which the clients did not initially seek counseling. Findings show that 71 clients returned for more than 1 counseling session. Counselors' perceptions of clients as more disturbed and counselors' desire to see the clients were positively associated with clients' returning for counseling after intake. Identification of concerns for clients by counselors at intake was also positively related to engagement in counseling. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived levels of self-disclosure, mental health, and helpfulness of group leaders.

Studied the relationship between therapist self-disclosure, mental health, and helpfulness as perceived by group members and determined if a member's perception of the group leader is a function of the member's own level of self-disclosure and mental health. Data were collected from 6 university encounter groups by using ranks for group member variables and rating scales for perceptions of group leaders. Perceptions of group leader self-disclosure, mental health, and helpfulness were all positively correlated. No differences occurred in the perceptions of group leaders as a result of the members' ranked levels of self-disclosure and mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Current perceptions and practices of charging fees in college and university counseling centers.

Mailed a questionnaire that assessed the practice of charging special fees for counseling, testing, and outreach programs, as well as the perceptions of counseling center directors on the fee issue, to 281 directors of college and university counseling centers. Results indicate that 36% of the agencies receive partial funding from student fees; only 3% receive compensation from student or faculty insurance programs. Charging fees for counseling services to students is a practice of only 4% of the respondents, a proportion which has remained stable over the past 10 yrs. In contrast, the proportion of agencies that charge fees for testing has increased from 11 to 34% over the 10-yr period. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Louisiana Spirit Specialized Crisis Counseling: Counselor perceptions of training and services.

This study examined perceptions of training, supervision, consultation, services provided, and role satisfaction among program personnel (N = 93) providing assistance to children, adults, and families affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita through the Louisiana Spirit Specialized Crisis Counseling Services (SCCS) Program. Findings indicated that there was uniform high satisfaction with the training, supervision, and consultation, which included the skills-based intervention, Skills for Psychological Recovery, provided by the SCCS Practice Directorate that included staff from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and the National Center for PTSD. Counselors also made high ratings of their perceptions of the helpfulness of services to survivors and overall satisfaction with their work. The vast majority of counselors, who had themselves been seriously affected by the hurricanes, indicated that their own hurricane-related experiences and losses were extremely helpful to them in relating to survivors and providing services. Fully 90% indicated that they had significantly benefited professionally from their work and would be interested in providing SCCS services in the event of another disaster. Provider perceptions of personal strengths derived from the hurricanes were associated with high levels of SCCS program satisfaction and conversely, difficulties providing SCCS services were associated with lower levels of program satisfaction. Multiple regression analyses indicated that provider's perceived negative impact of the hurricane on survivors predicted increased perceived helpfulness of SCCS provider trainings and services to survivors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Availability and desirability of various skills in candidates for positions in counseling centers: A replication.

Designed a modified replication of A. Southworth's (1972) survey to identify any changes in the judged availability and desirability of skills among doctoral candidates for counseling center positions. 213 college and university counseling center directors served as the judges of the 26 skill items. Results indicate that on 12 of the items there was a significant change between the 1972 and 1977 surveys in the availability of skills; suggesting that in 1977 (a) directors were more concerned with campus-wide issues and efficiency of delivery of services, (b) the graduates of training departments had acquired significantly more skills than their predecessors, and (c) considerable discrepancy remains between availability and desirability of skills for college counseling center work. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rehabilitation staff perceptions of characteristics of geriatric rehabilitation patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine if professionals treating older rehabilitation patients regarded them as having different characteristics than younger rehabilitation patients, to derive factors from these perceptions, and to examine the impact of the discipline of the professional and other factors on these perceptions. DESIGN: Rehabilitation professionals at a random sample of facilities accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities were surveyed to determine their level of agreement with 60 items addressing characteristics of older rehabilitation patients. The items were derived from focus groups with rehabilitation staff members. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand sixty-three rehabilitation professionals from nine disciplines (nursing, occupational therapy, physiatry, physical therapy, psychology, social work, speech pathology, therapeutic recreation, and vocational counseling) responded to the questionnaire and were included in the study. RESULTS: There was a wide range of agreement levels across the 60 items (range of median agreement, 12.7% to 93.5%). Factor analysis resulted in six categories of perceptions regarding older rehabilitation patients: (1) physical limitations, (2) motivational deficits, (3) psychological distress/need for support, (4) maturity and positive coping skills, (5) need for privacy/decreased adaptability, and (6) discharge complications. Significant differences across disciplines were found for five of six factors. Nurses agreed more strongly with the negative psychological factors (2, 3, and 5) compared to physical therapists, psychologists, and social workers. Physicians scored significantly higher than two other disciplines on the physical limitations factor. These differences may be related to the distinct role each discipline plays in the rehabilitation process. Older professionals also scored higher on four factors, likely because of personal rather than professional experience with aging. CONCLUSIONS: Treating professionals recognize differences between younger and older rehabilitation patients. Many of these perceived differences can be viewed as variables that require more effort and skill on the part of the treating professional. The training of rehabilitation professionals needs to better prepare individuals from all disciplines to adapt to age-specific differences.     

Behavioral and physiological correlates of children's reactions to others in distress.

Examined the behavioral and physiological correlates of children's reactions to others in distress and the relation of these to dispositional helpfulness. 37 3rd graders and 29 6th graders watched a film about a distressed child. Facial expressions, heart rate variability (HRV), and skin conductance (SC) were recorded during the film. An index of dispositional helpfulness was obtained from children's mothers. High HRV was predictive of children's sympathetic rather than distressed reactions. For boys, sympathetic responsiveness positively predicted dispositional helpfulness; for girls, SC was inversely related to dispositional helpfulness. It was concluded that children who are able to regulate their vicariously induced emotional responsiveness are relatively likely to experience sympathy and relatively unlikely to experience personal distress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Profiling Active and Passive Nonrespondents to an Organizational Survey.

In this field study (N = 405) population profiling was introduced to examine general and specific classes of nonresponse (active vs. passive) to a satisfaction survey. The active nonrespondent group (i.e., purposeful nonresponders) was relatively small (approximately 15%). Active nonrespondents, in comparison with respondents, were less satisfied with the entity sponsoring the survey and were less conscientious. Passive nonrespondents (e.g., forgot), who represented the majority of nonrespondents, were attitudinally similar to respondents but differed with regard to personality. Nonresponse bias does not appear to be a substantive concern for satisfaction type variables-the typical core of an organizational survey. If the survey concerns topics strongly related to Conscientiousness and Agreeableness, the respondent sample may not be representative of the population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expectations and preferences of nonclients for a university student counseling service.

Investigated the relationship between preferences and expectations about a university student counseling sevice in a population of 100 student nonclients. In addition, differences between nonclients' self-perceptions and their perceptions of counseling-service clients were investigated. Nonclients were administered a 157-item questionnaire on an individual basis to investigate these variables. It was hypothesized that discrepancies between preferences and expectations, as well as between perceptions of self and of clients, might be indicative of nonclients' willingness to become future clients of the counseling service. Results indicate that nonclients wanted the counselor to be significantly more active than they expected him to be. In addition, they perceived clients of the service as suffering significantly more from psychological and interpersonal problems than they themselves were. In light of the findings, it is suggested that there is a need for dissemination of information with regard to the process and modes of treatment offered by the counseling service. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of causal attributions in counseling shy subjects.

Investigated effects of differing counselor causal attribution frameworks in an analog study designed to simulate the initial phases of counseling. 36 self-referred, shy Ss (24 males, 12 females 18–44 yrs old; university graduates, undergraduates, and staff) participated in 2 structured 50-min counseling sessions. Two attribution treatments (cognitive/behavioral and analytic) were used along with a counseling control treatment that did not convey a theoretical or causal framework. It was hypothesized that the 2 causal treatments, despite vastly differing views as to the locus and stability of the source of the S's problem, would not differ significantly in effectiveness and would both be superior to the control treatment. Selected outcome measures were conceptually related to attribution theory and were in the areas of expectancy, motivation, helpfulness, and utilization of counseling material. Significant results, favoring the attribution treatments, were found on 3 out of 4 of the expectancy and motivation measures and on 2 out of 3 of the helpfulness and utilization measures. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Black and White student preferences for counselor roles.

28 Black and 28 White students from 2 university programs viewed a brief videotape of a counseling sesson in 1 of 4 conditions defined by (a) 2 female counselors (1 Black, 1 White); and (b) 2 counselor roles (active, passive). Analysis of Ss' ratings of counselor performances reveal (a) no differences among conditions in perceived attentiveness or friendliness; (b) significant differences between roles in perceptions of counselor behavior (as intended); (c) significantly higher ratings of competence and helpfulness for counselors in the active vs the passive role, regardless of counselor or S role; and (d) a main effect for counselor, which could not be unequivocally attributed either to counselor role performance or to counselor role. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correlates of self-reported multicultural competencies: Counselor multicultural social desirability, race, social inadequacy, locus of control racial ideology, and multicultural training.

Self-reported multicultural counseling competencies (MCCs) of 176 university counseling center staff were assessed. A 1-model multiple regression analysis, using a 4-step forced-entry method, accounted for 34% of the variability in MCCs. As hypothesized, after the significant contributions of multicultural (MC) social desirability and race were taken into account, attitudes of feelings of social inadequacy and locus of control racial ideology overall and individually made significant contributions. Then, MC training variables overall and number of minority and international clients, MC research projects, and MC courses individually made significant contributions. Hispanics had significantly higher Multicultural Counseling Inventory scores than did Whites. Minority groups scored differently than Whites on the variables measured, and MCCs increased with training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A controlled study of variables related to counseling center use.

Investigated the utility of several variables in discriminating between students who sought help at a university counseling center (seekers) and those who did not (nonseekers), when level of personal adjustment was controlled. Interactions between Ss' level of personal adjustment and help-seeking status were also examined. 40 female undergraduates who reported no previous history of formal counseling or psychotherapy were administered several tests including the College Maladjustment Scale. Three variables—alternate sources of help, counseling usefulness, and perceived severity of help-seeker pathology—significantly discriminated seeker from nonseeker Ss. It is suggested that level of Ss' adjustment is an important variable to control in research on the decision to seek help. Attitudinal variables were not powerful predictors of help-seeking behavior. Implications for the delivery of mental health services on the university campus are discussed. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social influence revisited: Effects of counselor influence on outcome variables.

Examined the relationship of social influence variables, symptom change, and premature termination of counseling in 51 adult outpatients in counseling. Clients completed the Brief Symptom Inventory before their 1st session and again after 4 sessions. At the end of their 1st session, Ss also completed the Counselor Rating Form (CRF) based on their initial perceptions of their counselors. Counselor social influence variables (e.g., attractiveness) related positively to client improvement. CRF scores were significantly related to symptom change over 4 sessions and significantly predicted symptom change. All 3 dimensions of the social influence model were significantly and equally related to outcome. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Testing practices in university and college counseling centers in the United States.

The frequency and scope of psychological test usage in a counseling psychology setting were studied by sending questionnaires to 372 college and university counseling center directors. The 284 usable responses indicated usage of a total of 158 tests; 35 were mentioned by 10% or more of the respondents. The median number of tests mentioned by a center was 14. The 3 most frequently used types of tests were career counseling, led by the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory; personality assessment, led by the MMPI; and mental abilities and aptitude tests (e.g., the WAIS and Differential Aptitude Tests). Differences between these results and those of earlier surveys in clinical settings are discussed. The present respondents reported that counseling psychologists in their centers use career assessment instruments more frequently and projective personality instruments less frequently than do the clinicians. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The counseling center: A mirror of institutional size.

Investigated the relationship between counseling center orientation and size of institution in which the center is located. 19 census-type variables were subjected to principal components analysis, and 4 estimated factors scores were derived for a population of 157 counseling centers. Results indicate that institutional size predicts counseling center orientation but that a more qualitative evaluation of counseling centers requires other than census-type data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)