TPC_Digest_Volume_2_Issue_2

TPC Digest To assess counseling self-efficacy beliefs, participants were asked to complete the Counseling Self Estimate Inventory (COSE). The COSE is a 37-item self- report assessment with documented reliability and validity that requires participants to rate how well they believe they will be able to perform as counselors in future counseling sessions. Following data collection, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was computed to compare mean differences in COSE scores by instructional method (online vs. traditional FTF instruction) while controlling for students’ previous counseling experience. Previous counseling experience was included as a covariate because researchers noted a strong positive relationship between counseling self-efficacy beliefs and counseling experience in prior studies. Additionally, a follow-up multiple regression analysis was computed to determine the best linear combination of variables among gender, age and degree level (masters or advanced) for predicting COSE scores. Results of the ANCOVA analysis indicated that there was a significant difference in COSE scores with students who enrolled in online counselor education courses self-reporting significantly stronger counseling self-efficacy beliefs than those students enrolled in courses delivered using a traditional method. Interpretation of the multiple regression analysis indicated that the combination of gender, age and degree level significantly predicted counseling self-efficacy beliefs. Since the original hypothesis was not supported a number of possible explanations for this unexpected result are discussed as are implications for future research and training instruction. Interpretation of the multiple regression analysis indicated that the combination of gender, age and degree level significantly predicted counseling self-efficacy beliefs. TPC Digest