TPC-Journal-V4-Issue5

The Professional Counselor \Volume 4, Issue 5 473 about the shape of the distributions, in contrast to z scores, for which a normal distribution is assumed. POMP scores are an easily understood and interpreted metric and cumulatively lead to a basis for agreement on the size of material effects in the domain of interest (i.e., interventions to enhance quality of services and use of EBP; Cohen et al., 1999). Primary Aim Initial analyses confirmed retreatment equivalence for the two conditions, t (72) = –.383, p = .703. For individuals in the QAI condition, preintervention CSE scores averaged at 71.9% of maximum possible ( SD = .09), while those in the comparison condition averaged at 71.3% of maximum possible ( SD = .08). These scores were comparable to level of CSE observed in counseling psychologists with similar amounts of prior experience (Melchert et al., 1996). Correlation analyses suggested that pretreatment CSE was significantly associated with age ( r = .312, p = .008), race ( r = –.245, p = .029), years of counseling experience ( r = .313, p = .007) and years with the agency ( r = .232, p = .048). Thus, these variables were included as covariates in an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) evaluating changes in CSE between the QAI and comparison conditions. Results suggested a nonsignificant difference in change in CSE from pre- to postintervention between conditions, F (72) = .013, p = .910. For individuals in the QAI condition, postintervention CSE scores averaged at 73.1% of maximum possible ( SD = .07), and for individuals in the comparison condition, CSE scores averaged at 72.8% of maximum possible ( SD = .08). Additionally, when looking across conditions, results indicated a nonsignificant difference in change in level of CSE from pre- to postintervention, F (72) = .001, p = .971. Across conditions, clinicians reported roughly similar levels of CSE at pre- and postintervention time points (72% vs. 73% of maximum possible); see Table 1. Table 1 Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) Summary of Change in CSE Source df F p Partial η 2 CSE 1 .001 .971 .000 CSE*Condition 1 .013 .910 .000 CSE*Age 1 .281 .598 .004 CSE*Race 1 1.190 .279 .018 CSE*Years of Experience 1 .032 .859 .000 CSE*Years with Agency 1 .003 .955 .000 Error 66 Note. N = 72. Secondary Aim To investigate the influence of level of CSE on quality and practice elements in counseling, a series of individual regressions were conducted with level of postintervention CSE as the predictor variable, and indicators of attitudes toward EBP, knowledge and use of EBP, and use of quality mental health services as the outcome variables in separate analyses.