Correlates of self-reported multicultural competencies: Counselor multicultural social desirability, race, social inadequacy, locus of control racial ideology, and multicultural training.

TLDR

A survey of 176 university counseling center staff measured self‑reported multicultural counseling competencies, and a single‑model multiple regression with a four‑step forced‑entry procedure explained 34 % of the variance. Multicultural social desirability, race, feelings of social inadequacy, locus of control racial ideology, and training variables—including number of minority/international clients, research projects, and courses—each significantly predicted higher competencies, with Hispanics scoring above Whites and overall multicultural counseling competencies rising with training.

Abstract

Self-reported multicultural counseling competencies (MCCs) of 176 university counseling center staff were assessed. A 1-model multiple regression analysis, using a 4-step forced-entry method, accounted for 34% of the variability in MCCs. As hypothesized, after the significant contributions of multicultural (MC) social desirability and race were taken into account, attitudes of feelings of social inadequacy and locus of control racial ideology overall and individually made significant contributions. Then, MC training variables overall and number of minority and international clients, MC research projects, and MC courses individually made significant contributions. Hispanics had significantly higher Multicultural Counseling Inventory scores than did Whites. Minority groups scored differently than Whites on the variables measured, and MCCs increased with training.