Exploring outcomes and initial self-report of client motivation in a college counseling center

Abstract

Objective: To explore the association between college counseling center clients' initial self-report of motivation and counseling outcome.

Participants: The sample was composed of 331 student clients who utilized a college counseling center from August 2007 to August 2009. The college is a public, mid-size, urban university in the Southeast.

Methods: Motivation was measured at intake by a self-report of change readiness item. A quantitative study that employed a 5-group, pretest-posttest design included 331 student participants. Counseling outcome was measured using the Outcome Questionnaire 45.2.

Results: As assigned by the clients' self-report of change readiness, counseling outcome for 5 motivation groups differed significantly (p = .004; α < .05). Compulsory participation in counseling was treated as a possible confound and was not a significant factor in counseling outcome (p = .268; α < .05).

Conclusions: Participants' initial self-report of motivation was significantly associated with counseling outcome.

Keywords: college counseling; counseling outcomes; motivation; stages of change.