Date of Graduation
2000
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
PhD
College
College of Education and Human Services
Department
Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry
Committee Chair
Cynthia R. Kalodner
Committee Co-Chair
Elizabeth Iglesias
Committee Member
Roy Tunick
Committee Member
Ralph Van Atta
Committee Member
Richard Walls
Abstract
This study examined White clients' preference for counselor characteristics. A paired comparison format was used to generate participants' preferences. The study also examined the relationship of clients' within group differences (i.e., level of racial consciousness, age, educational level) to their preference for counselors. The study found that when asked to indicate a preference between a counselor of similar ethnicity and one of dissimilar ethnicity, clients indicated a preference for a counselor of similar ethnicity. However, when other counselor attributes were included in the choice, a counselor of similar ethnicity was not the primary preference. The study was able to demonstrate that several preferences (i.e., attitudes/values, more education) were statistically significant when compared to the variable similar ethnicity. The study also found that attitudes about multiculturalism (i.e., gender equity, willingness to work with ethnically diverse groups) influenced preference for counselors' ethnicity and gender. A relationship was found between within group variables (i.e., age, educational level) and preference for counselors. Implications for clinical practice and research are explored. Additionally, recommendations for future research are provided.
Recommended Citation
Boyce, Justin Leon, "An examination of the significance of demographic characteristics on the preference of White American therapy clients for counselors: Their relationship to within -group differences." (2000). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 8521.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/8521