The expectations and preferences for counseling in groups underutilizing mental health services

Abstract

The present study examined the expectations and preferences about counseling for 211 undergraduate students representing four racial or ethnic categories as well as socioeconomic and gender categories. Participants were drawn from class sections and from student organizations at Texas A&M University. The study utilized a version of The Expectations About Counseling - Brief Form to assess both expectations and preferences for counseling. Analysis was conducted using ANOVA to examine differences between expectations and preferences for counseling for each of the racial or ethnic groups, as well as for comparisons between gender categories. A Pearson correlation procedure was used to examine differences between each of the five socioeconomic levels represented by the sample. Results indicate that differences exist between expectations and preferences for counseling in specific areas within each of the racial or ethnic groups examined. No differences were discovered between male and female expectations for counseling. Additionally, some differences were noted regarding expectations for counseling and participants' socioeconomic level. Results are interpreted in terms of literature demonstrating the patterns of utilization of mental health services of each of the groups represented in the study.