Career counselor attitudes and behaviors toward gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients

In the past few years there has been an increase in journal articles discussing the unique career concerns of those who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Articles have also examined the variables that may influence counselor responsiveness to such concerns. Nonetheless, there is no empirical evidence that documents the extent to which career counselors perceive themselves to engage in behaviors that are affirmative of gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients. This study surveyed 106 career counselors at university career and counseling centers. Regression analyses were conducted to determine the factors predictive of higher levels of culturally affirmative behavior with clients who identified themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, and with all clients. With both populations, the most predictive factors were an organizational climate that is nonheterosexist and the counselor's sexual orientation. A significant predictor of culturally affirmative behaviors with all clients was the extent to which counselors defined a broad diversity of populations as cultural minorities. The implications of these results as well as limitations and needs for further research are discussed. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.