TPC Journal V7, Issue 2 - FULL ISSUE

122 The Professional Counselor | Volume 7, Issue 2 Among initial findings, religiosity had a significant negative relationship with SOCCS total scores ( r = -.30, p < .01) including significant negative relationships for all three of the SOCCS subscales (Attitudes, r = -.47; Knowledge, r = -.17; and Skill, r = -.11). Spirituality was not related to SOCCS total scores ( r = -.04, p > .05), yet spirituality was strongly correlated with religiosity ( r = .60, p < .01). For Research Question 2, multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine predictors of LGB-affirmative counselor competence. The criterion variable was total score on the SOCCS and the predictors were (a) religiosity, (b) spirituality, (c) education level, (d) counseling experience with LGB clients, and (e) LGB interpersonal contact. The results of the regression indicated that these five predictors explained 31% of variance in SOCCS scores ( R 2 = .31, F (5, 391) = 35.31, p < .01). All five variables significantly predicted SOCCS scores: religiosity (β = -.40, p < .01), spirituality (β = .13, p < .05), education (β = .23, p < .01), number of LGB clients worked with (β = .28, p < .01), and LGB interpersonal contact (β = .13, p < .01). Notably, there was a negative β value for religiosity, indicating an inverse relationship with SOCCS scores compared to a positive β value for spirituality and SOCCS scores. With a medium effect size of .45 (Cohen, 1992), achieved power for the multiple regression was 1.00. For Research Question 3, ANOVA was used to examine differences in three variables (religiosity, spirituality, and LGB-affirmative counselor competence) across the following religious affiliation groups: Protestant Christian, Catholic, Other Religious Affiliation, and No Religious Affiliation. Table 1 displays the affiliations included in each group. Religious affiliation and religiosity. A one-way, between-subjects ANOVA compared the effect of religious affiliation on religiosity in four groups: Protestant Christian ( n = 237), Catholic ( n = 88), Other Religious Affiliation ( n = 29), and No Religious Affiliation ( n = 99). There was a significant effect of religious affiliation on religiosity [ F (3, 449) = 156.69, p = .000]. Post-hoc comparisons using Tukey HSD indicated that the mean score for No Religious Affiliation ( M = -4.12, SD = 2.30) was significantly lower than Protestant Christian ( M = 1.61, SD = 2.20), Catholic ( M = .45, SD = 2.39), and Other Religious Affiliation ( M = -.73, SD = 2.11). In addition, Protestant Christian ( M = 1.61, SD = 2.20) was significantly higher in religiosity than Catholic ( M = .45, SD = 2.39) and Other Religious Affiliation ( M = -.73, SD = 2.11) groups. With a large effect size of 1.04 (Cohen, 1992), achieved power for the ANOVA was 1.00. Religious affiliation and spirituality. A one-way, between-subjects ANOVA compared the effect of religious affiliation on spirituality in four conditions: Protestant Christian, Catholic, Other Religious Affiliation, and No Religious Affiliation. There was a significant effect of religious affiliation on spirituality [ F (3, 449) = 16.17, p = .000]. Post-hoc comparisons using Tukey HSD indicated that the mean score for Protestant Christian ( M = 1.22, SD = 3.45) was significantly higher than Catholic ( M = -.69, SD = 4.29) and No Religious Affiliation ( M = -2.31, SD = 6.06) groups. With a medium effect size of .31 (Cohen, 1992), achieved power for the ANOVA was 0.99. Religious affiliation and LGB-affirmative counseling competence. A one-way, between-subjects ANOVA compared the effect of religious affiliation on LGB-affirmative counseling competence in four groups: Protestant Christian, Catholic, Other Religious Affiliation, and No Religious Affiliation. There was a significant effect of religious affiliation on LGB-affirmative counseling competence [ F (3, 449) = 12.98, p = .000]. Post-hoc comparisons using Tukey HSD indicated that the mean score for Protestant Christian ( M = 4.51, SD = .77) was significantly lower than No Religious Affiliation ( M = 4.95, SD = .78). Furthermore, the mean score for Other Religious Affiliation ( M = 5.25, SD = .78) was significantly higher than Protestant Christian ( M = 4.51, SD = .77) and Catholic ( M = 4.70, SD = .75).