The relationship between homophobia, peer counseling effectiveness, and peer counseling self-confidence

Authors

Marc T. Kiviniemi, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

March 1995

Comments

Published in UNCA Journal of Undergraduate Research, 8 (1995), pp. 70-84. Copyright 1995 Marc T. Kiviniemi. >/small>

Abstract

The relationships between a peer counselor's level of homophobia, their self-perceptions of counseling ability, and their effectiveness as a peer counselor were examined. Resident Assistants (RA's, N=27) completed the Index of Homophobia (Hudson & Ricketts, 1980) and the Peer Counseling Comfort Scale. Resident students (N=159) evaluated their RA's performance and ability as a peer counselor. Results from the three surveys were correlated. A significant correlation was found between Homophobia scores and self-perceptions of ability. Implications for counseling practice and suggestions for further research are discussed.