Publication Date
2015
Document Type
Dissertation
Committee Members
Daniela Burnworth (Committee Member), Robert A. Rando (Committee Member), Julie L. Williams (Committee Chair)
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Abstract
Group psychotherapy has become a preferred modality of direct clinical psychological services offered by many University Counseling Centers (UCCs), primarily because of the effectiveness of group psychotherapy in addressing the unique developmental issues that college students experience. However, there is a need for empirically supported data to identify barriers to group psychotherapy among college students, particularly related to multicultural identity variables. The present study examined barriers that college students face when considering joining a psychotherapy group. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and either the original or the modified version of the Barriers Scale, (Harris, 2012). Participants were divided into three groups, Black/African-American, White/Caucasian or Other Minorities (O.M.). Results showed that group psychotherapy was found to be one of the least desirable methods for distress management among all three groups. However, White college students showed greater willingness to enroll in group psychotherapy when more information was provided about the types of groups. Furthermore, O.M. and White college students endorsed a fear of being judged because of their experiences with people of other race/ethnicities. Results indicated that the fear of being judged negatively impacted White college students' willingness to participate in group psychotherapy, but had no impact for O.M. students.
Page Count
110
Department or Program
School of Professional Psychology
Year Degree Awarded
2016
Copyright
Copyright 2015, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
