Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
Educational Studies
First Advisor
Ryan G. Carlson
Abstract
Clinical reasoning is widely used among several medical professionals and personnel to diagnose conditions to streamline the treatment process in an effective manner. Researchers have explored clinical reasoning in nursing literature and the medical profession, however, have not been explored in counselor education despite counselors being one of the largest groups of individuals diagnosing mental health conditions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation of self-efficacy and counselor biases influence on uncertainty with diagnosis in new counselors. The hypothesized directional relationship was explored in new counselors as the hypothesis suggests that higher levels of self-efficacy and lower levels of bias impact better clinical reasoning skills. The present study tested the hypothesized directional relationship through a correlational survey design and analyzed using multiple regression. More specifically, path analysis and factor analysis were used to examine the research question and research hypotheses. The results indicated a significant relationship between racial attitudes and counselor attribute skills of new counselors influence diagnostic uncertainty, suggesting importance counselor biases and self-efficacy skills have on the clinical reasoning process. Additionally, the findings provide new counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors with suggestions for continued practice with broaching conversations related to biases and continued importance of skill development in diagnosis. A discussion of results, implications, limitations, and future directions were discussed.
Rights
© 2024, Ashley Faith Waddington
Recommended Citation
Waddington, A. F.(2023). The Contribution of Self-Efficacy and Counselor Biases Effects on Clinical Reasoning in New Counselors. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/7668