Candidate: Beatrice Antly Tatem

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology

Title: The Influence of Race on Ethical Decision-Making Regarding Nonsexual Dual Relationships

Committee:
Dr. Edward L. Trembley , Chair
Dr. Joseph R. Morris
Dr. Donald E. Thompson

Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2001, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
3306 Sangren

Abstract:
Ethical decision-making is a crucial part of the daily practice of psychologists. Psychologists are faced with the challenge of developing ethical decision-making strategies that effectively address the dilemmas associated with dual relationships. Dual relationships affect all psychologists, regardless of the environment in which they practice or the client population with whom they work.

The current study investigated whether ethnographic therapist characterizes influence the interpretation and application of the APA Ethical guidelines and thus psychologists' decision-making regarding nonsexual dual relationships outside of the therapy hour. The investigation was conducted through a national survey of 130 doctoral-level psychologists at 41 APA-accredited university-counseling centers. Specifically, the major purpose of the survey was to assess psychologists' self reported practices and behaviors with clients relative to nonsexual dual relationships. The participants were asked to respond to three research instruments:
(over)
(1) a Demographic Information Form used to obtain demographic data about the psychologists' training, years of practice in a university counseling center, location of practice, diversity of their clientele, and personal data, (2) the Inventory for Dual Relationship Judgments, which consisted of scenarios pertaining to pertaining to nonsexual dual-relationships outside of the therapy hour, and (3) the Ethical Beliefs and Behaviors of College Counseling Center Professionals (Sherry, Teschendorf, Anderson, & Guzman, 1991), which ascertained descriptive data about the respondents' practices and behaviors.

The two types of analysis were used in this study. One involved descriptive analysis, which was used in this research to describe the demographics of the participants. The second type of analysis allowed the researcher to address the five research questions that guided this study. The data were tested using the t test of independent samples, one-way analysis of variance, Scheffe' multiple comparison test, and standard multiple regression.

The findings revealed that individual psychologists considered several factors when indicating their ethical behaviors and practices regarding nonsexual dual relationships. The findings revealed several factors that influenced individual psychologists' decision-making process when encountering a client in a potential nonsexual dual relationship.

Related Topics

Main List of Archives:
Dissertation Defenses

Current Dissertation Defenses