Revisiting relationships between sex-related variables and continuation in counseling.
This study examined the relationships between three sex-related variables (client sex, therapist sex, and dyad matching on sex) and continuation in counseling. 245 college students who were clients at three university counseling centers participated. Consistent with previous studies, women comprised 68.2% of the clients seeking services at these counseling centers. Clients' sex was significantly related to counseling duration, explaining 2.2% of the common variance. Female clients, on the average, attended 1.8 more sessions than male clients. However, neither the therapists' sex nor dyad matching on sex was significantly related to the duration of counseling. None of the sex-related variables correlated with premature termination of counseling. The results have implications for providing counseling and outreach services to male students. Despite relatively equivalent rates in the incidence of mental health problems, female students continue to comprise the majority of clients. Therefore, university counseling centers need to communicate their services better to male students in need of mental health services.
Hatchett
Gregory T
GT
Department of Social Work and Human Services, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, USA. hatchettg@nku.edu
Park
Heather L
HL
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology