title: Exploring outcomes and initial self-report of client motivation in a college counseling center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the association between college counseling center clients' initial self-report of motivation and counseling outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was composed of 331 student clients who utilized a college counseling center from August 2007 to August 2009. The college is a public, mid-size, urban university in the Southeast.
  
  
  METHODS
  Motivation was measured at intake by a self-report of change readiness item. A quantitative study that employed a 5-group, pretest-posttest design included 331 student participants. Counseling outcome was measured using the Outcome Questionnaire 45.2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As assigned by the clients' self-report of change readiness, counseling outcome for 5 motivation groups differed significantly (p = .004; α < .05). Compulsory participation in counseling was treated as a possible confound and was not a significant factor in counseling outcome (p = .268; α < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants' initial self-report of motivation was significantly associated with counseling outcome.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ilagan
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vinson
authors.forename: Julia L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ilagan
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oberman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003376:Counseling / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D057566:Self Report / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: college counseling; counseling outcomes; motivation; stages of change