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Multicultural counseling competencies of university counseling center staff (N=176) were assessed. A one-model multiple regression analysis using a four-step forced entry method accounted for 34% of the variability. Variables are placed in order of influence. Minority scores varied from white counselors; multicultural competencies increased with training. Results are discussed. (Author/EMK)

Measurements of internal ethnic identity and external ethnic identity show that Chinese American immigrants could be differentiated into different identity groups. Internal ethnic identity significantly predicted salience of ethnicity and loss of face. Income, ethnicity salience, external ethnic identity, and loss of face were significant predictors of acculturative stress. (Author/RJM)

Presents the self-report instrument called Multicultural Counseling Inventory (MCI) that measures multicultural counseling competencies. Dimensions of multicultural counseling competencies; Multicultural competency instruments; Results of the study.

Worldviews of White American women clients, White American women counselors, and Chinese international women students were surveyed. Multivariate planned comparisons showed significant differences between (a) White American clients and White American counselors and (b) Chinese international students and White American counselors. The surveys first interest was in assessing similarities and differences in the worldviews of White American women clients and White American women counselors. A specific goal was to see if White American women counselors and Chinese international women students would show worldview differences. Participants included White American women clients at a community and a private counseling practice, White American women counselors from the same practices as well as from a counseling psychology training program, and Chinese international women students. The White American women clients had a significantly higher mean score than did the White American women counselors on the endeavoring self.

The researcher investigated the causes of international students' perception of counselor credibility. Student observers viewed two videotapes of simulated counseling that were determined to be significantly different: Tape A was consistent with the Asian Indian client's cultural values; Tape B, with mainstream counseling. The observers, White American students and Asian Indian and South Korean international students, were asked to view Tape A or Tape B and answer Barak and LaCrosse's Counselor Rating Form (CRF). The Asian Indians found the culturally consistent counselor significantly more expert-like and trustworthy than the culturally discrepant counselor. The Asian Indians differed from the Americans on their perceptions of the culturally discrepant counselor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides insights regarding the important influences of counselors' race or ethnicity, demographic characteristics and minority respondents' within-group attitudinal or value differences. The findings of this study suggest that a universal concept of mental health and its sole consideration of individual differences within the universal context may direct a counselor to misperceive a minority or culturally different client as a representative of the dominant culture. The counselor may then mistakenly offer a popular modality of treatment rather than conceptualize the case and counsel the client in a culturally consistent manner. Current research in multicultural counseling on minority clients preferences of counselors race or ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, age, religion, educational level, or attitudinal variables reflect an appreciation of diversity and a sensitivity to culturally referenced preferences of minority clients. If multicultural counseling is to become an additional and equal partner of traditional Western psychotherapies, more multicultural investigations are needed in the areas of case conceptualization, counseling perspectives, counseling strategies, counseling goals, and competencies all based on culture, which we propose is an important variable that influences clients' life-style, joys, and difficulties.