Aimee Nicole Carrilyn Adams - Counseling Psychology: Abstract

WHAT DO THEY EXPECT? PREDICTORS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS' MULTICULTURAL EXPECTATIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO SEEK PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP

This study examined the extent to which undergraduate and graduate students’ expectations for counselor multicultural counseling competence could be predicted by: a) individual and clustered demographic variables (race or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status), b) salience of culture to self-identification, and c) multicultural personality disposition, as indicated by universal-diverse orientation (UDO). The relationship between multicultural counseling expectations and willingness to seek help was also examined. Three hundred and twenty-six participants completed measures of the variables of interest via an online survey. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to determine the relationships among the variables. Results showed that individual demographic variables, clustered demographic variables, and UDO significantly predicted multicultural expectations. Salience of culture to self-identification was not a significant predictor of multicultural expectations. Multicultural expectations significantly predicted students’ willingness to seek psychological help. Findings are discussed in terms of directions for future research, theory, and application to counseling practice.

To learn more, please contact Tamara Palmer at tlp205@lehigh.edu or 610.758.3226.