The authors studied whether the disproportionate number of female clients seen in counseling centers was due to referral patterns related to the gender of the referral recipient or the gender or age of the referral source. Faculty, staff, and students (N = 1,458) on 3 university campuses indicated their likelihood of referring a student to psychological counseling, for each of 6 problems presented in brief written vignettes. Only gender of the student presenting the problem was manipulated. Results indicated that men were less likely than women to refer at all 3 institutions. Older persons were more likely to refer at 2 institutions. At 1 institution, older persons were more apt to refer only when the recipient was a man. Gender of the referral recipient was not significant. The authors discuss the findings, indicate areas for further investigation, and make suggestions for college and university counseling centers.

No abstract