Level of Homophobia and Graduate Counseling Students' Clinical Judgments

Abstract

It was the purpose of this study to examine the differences in clinical judgment ratings of counselor trainees, based on a client's sexual preference, with the counselor trainee's level of homophobia. Eighty graduate counseling students participated in this study. Half of the subjects read a vignette regarding a homosexual relationship and the other half read a vignette regarding a heterosexual relationship. All subjects responded to the Index of Homophobia and the Clinical Judgment Scale. Results indicate that regardless of a client's sexual preference, a counselor trainee's level of homophobia did effect how they clinically judged a client. It is of utmost importance for counselor trainees to become informed about homosexuality, to become aware of their own beliefs and feelings regarding homosexuality, and to dispel the prejudice taught them by society.