Increased Stability of Self-Concept in Students Served by a College Counseling Center.

Subjects were 18 undergraduates who were clients of a college counseling service and 25 controls matched for age, IQ, and honesty of self-report. Hypotheses tested were: (a) that at the beginning of treatment experimental clients (group E) would show more variability of self-concept on a test-retest questionnaire (with a week intervening between testing) than would controls (group C); and (b) that eight weeks after the second testing group E would show significantly increased stability on test-retest with an alternate form questionnaire while group C would not show similar changes. Both hypotheses were confirmed beyond the .05 level of confidence. Increased stability of self-concept should follow psychotherapy because of increased self-understanding and abandonment of unrealistic self-referrent ideas. Results were interpreted as supporting Rogers' concept of essential changes in psychotherapy and offering a promising method for assessing effecte of therapy. Suggestions for further research are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]