Reexamining the relationships between racial identity, cultural mistrust, help-seeking attitudes, and preference for a Black counselor.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the extent to which Black racial identity attitudes, cultural mistrust, and help-seeking attitudes predicted preference for a Black counselor in a sample of 168 African American adults. Participants were recruited from college and community settings in an urban, southern location in the United States. Participants completed 4 self-report measures: the Cross Racial Identity Scale (B. J. Vandiver et al., 2000), the Cultural Mistrust Inventory (F. Terrell & S. Terrell, 1981), the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help―Short Form (E. H. Fischer & A. Farina, 1995), and a modified version of the Counselor Preference Scale (T. A. Parham & J. E. Helms, 1981). Multiple regression analyses revealed that racial identity, cultural mistrust, and help-seeking attitudes significantly predicted preference for a Black counselor. Elevated cultural mistrust attitudes, low assimilation attitudes, and strong internalized Afrocentric attitudes significantly and uniquely predicted participants' preference for a Black counselor. The results are discussed with respect to individual differences within groups. Implications for counselors and counseling center directors regarding counselor-client race matching are discussed.