Effects of Religiosity and Problem Type on Counselor Description Ratings

Abstract

This analogue study examines the interaction between precounseling information, religiosity, and problem type and its subsequent effect on counselor ratings of social influence and willingness to seek help. Using an inventory of Christian beliefs, the authors assess college students' religiosity. After providing a presenting problem and reading a description of a secular (nonreligious), religious-empathic, or Christian counselor, par ticipants responded to the Counselor Rating Form-Short and Willingness to Seek Help scale. Based on an Aptitude × Treatment interaction design using hierarchical multiple regression, the interactions between participant religiosity and counselor description, as well as participant religiosity, counselor description, and participant problem type, were predictive of counselor social influence and willingness to seek help ratings only with respect to the Christian counselor description. Implications of these results for research and practice are discussed.

Clinical Judgment Faith Bias: The Impact of Faith and Multicultural Competence on Clinical Judgment

“…Sometimes, individuals in need of services might avoid counseling altogether (Guinee & Tracey, 1997;McLatchie & Draguns, 1984;Morrow, Worthington, & McCullough, 1993;Rose et al, 2001;Worthington, 1986). Thus there is a public perception that clinicians are biased against religion.…”

Religiosity, beliefs about mental illness, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Protestant Christians.

“…The authors of the study noted that participants realized their religious or spiritual believes did not have to be concealed or diminished in therapy, but could be used complimentary, depending on the ability/willingness of the therapist. Obviously, this study is limited due to its restricted sample, however; the results are similar to those found by Guinee and Tracey (1997) and Worthington et al (1996) which conclude that although religious/spiritual individuals may have apprehensions about secular therapy, it does not meant that these individuals would believe a secular therapist could not offer them help.…”

Inclusion of Religious Behaviors and Attitudes in Counseling: Expectations of Conservative Christians

“…Both Guinee and Tracey (1997) and Keating and Fretz suggested that the young age of respondents in their studies may have contributed to differences in expectations of counseling among highly religious respondents.…”

“…Researchers have studied Christians' (members of both mainstream and conservative denominations) expectations of counseling when faced with Christian and non-Christian counselors; however, results have been inconclusive (Belaire &Young, 2002;Godwin &Crouch, 1989;Guinee & Tracey, 1997;Keating & Fretz, 1990;McCullough & Worthington, 1995;Morrow, Worthington, & McCullough, 1993;Pecnik & Epperson, 1985;Worthington & Gascoyne, 1985). Some studies have found that Christian individuals prefer Christian counselors (Bergin, 1980;Keating & Fretz, 1990;King, 1978); however, other studies have failed to replicate these resulis, raising the question whether Christians always prefer Christian counselors (Haugen & Edwards, 1976;Netzky, Davidson, & Crunkleton, 1982).…”