Although research has effectively isolated and identified the key characteristics of a culturally competent counselor, there are few studies regarding the acquisition of these characteristics. To close the gap between theory and practice, studies are needed researching the emergence and, acquisition of these characteristics. This study explores…

In three studies, Mexican-American college students reported preference for ethnically similar counselors. Findings pertain to men and women and to persons who have and have not sought counseling, they are not significantly influenced by experimenter's ethnicity, and they apply to students who have considered counseling. Findings suggest that…

Seventy-nine community college students rated an audiotaped counseling performance under two conditions of counselor ethnicity (Anglo-American or Mexican descent) crossed with two different attitudes toward assimilation into the mainstream culture (cultural assimilation or cultural pluralism) held by the counselor. (NQ)

Investigated preference for counselor race and sex, client sex, likelihood of using the counseling center, and problem type for Native American college students (N=62). Both females and males demonstrated a strong preference for Native American counselors, regardless of problem situation. Likelihood of using the counseling center increased as…

Surveyed 73 American Indian and 81 white college students to determine preferences for counselor characteristics when facing academic or personal problems. Found both groups most preferred counselor with similar attitudes and values. Similar ethnicity appeared more important to American Indian students. Dissimilar characteristics were consistently…

Mexican-American college students (N=109) with varying commitments to Mexican-American or Anglo-American culture rated their preference for an ethnically similar counselor. Results showed preference for counselor ethnicity and willingness to self-disclose in counseling were related to cultural commitment. Females were more willing to use…

Randomly assigned Mexican-American community college students (n=189), who varied by level of acculturation, to one of four stimulus conditions varied by counselor ethnicity and cultural responsiveness. Highest ratings of cultural competence were obtained when counselor was portrayed as culturally responsive and lowest ratings when counselor was…

This study investigated the relationships among client adherence to Asian cultural values, counselor expression of cultural values, counselor ethnicity, and career counseling process with Asian American college students. Clients who had high adherence to Asian cultural values evaluated Asian American counselors as more empathic and credible than…

Seventy-eight Asian American college students who were experiencing career uncertainty engaged in a counseling session with a European American female counselor who focused on either immediate resolution of the problem or insight attainment through exploration of the problem and who emphasized client expression of either cognition or emotion.…

A counseling analogue study was designed to evaluate the effects of counselor ethnicity and counselor trustworthiness on American Indian student ratings of perceived counselor "trustworthiness." Forty-four American Indian high school students (22 males and 22 females) from a public high school on a reservation in Nebraska viewed a 2-segment…

To evaluate the significance of matching Hispanic "consumers" to Hispanic "experts," a series of three studies investigated counselor preferences among lower division Hispanic and Anglo students, students' preference for counselors' directive, non-directive, or neutral communication styles, and patterns in students'…