The original Personal Growth Initiative Scale (PGIS; Robitschek, 1998) was unidimensional, despite theory identifying multiple components (e.g., cognition and behavior) of personal growth initiative (PGI). The present research developed a multidimensional measure of the complex process of PGI, while retaining the brief and psychometrically sound…

Explored use of guided imagery for revealing a client's phenomenal patterning in undergraduates (N=9). Found sequences of inclusion and exclusion behavior within the guided images were related to self-report data as a way of formulating initial descriptions of personal involvement patterns. (Author/ABL)

Examined differences in the verbal behavior of deep-elaborative versus shallow-reiterative learners who discussed personal problems. Verbal behavior of deep-elaborative subjects was rated as clearer, deeper, and more conclusion oriented and personal. There were no differences between groups on counseling satisfaction. (Author/BL)

Compared freshmen (N=2180) who were interested in different types of counseling, or indicated no interest, on a variety of attitudinal and demographic items. Results indicated that students who showed different counseling interests as incoming freshmen could also be differentiated on other variables (political and social attitudes, college…

Proactive counselor intervention requires recognition of the pattern of client requests for service. Five midwestern university counseling centers supplied usage data on client contacts. Counselors accurately reported the pattern but based it on perception of total contacts rather than initial contacts. (Author)

On a problem checklist, subjects of both sexes rated 16 out of 75 problems as typically male, eight of which were vocational-educational problems, while 35 were rated as typically female problems, none being vocational-educational. Of problems presented by actual clients at the university counseling center, three reflect sex differences.…

Stimatizing attitudes and expectations toward mentally ill individuals often lead to their behavioral confirmation. To investigate attitudes and behaviors towards people described as seeking psychological counseling, 136 college students (68 males, 68 females) took part in a mixed-sex dyadic conversation. One dyad member was randomly chosen as the…

Determined effects of time limits on interview behavior of Type A and B persons. Type A and B participants discussed positive and negative aspects of social life with counselors in time-limited or time-unlimited conditions. Significant differences in both productivity and anxiety emerged. Treatment implications are discussed. (Author)

This analogue study examined effects of inconsistencies between a counselor's verbal and nonverbal behaviors on client proxemic behavior and ratings of counselor genuineness. Based on role plays of 80 undergraduates with a confederate male counselor, results indicated that inconsistent messages led to greater interpersonal distances and lower…

Examined differences in family function of high- versus low-identity achievement youth for 411 18- to 24-year-old males, and variables to account for differing identity levels. High-identity subjects belong to balanced families and experience more openness and less problems communicating with parents. Discusses implications for counseling and…