Sex-role stereotyping as a factor in mental health standards among counselors-in-training.

Abstract

Examined the possibility of multiple standards of mental health due to sex-stereotypic expectations in 45 male and 45 female counselors-in-training. 22 Ss were doctoral students and 68 were in the master's program. On a shortened version of the Stereotype Questionnaire, female Ss held an approximately uniform standard for healthy males, females, and adults (sex unspecified); male Ss subscribed to this standard for healthy males and adults but held another, more stereotypically feminine standard for healthy females. Possible restrictive effects of a double standard upon female clients, the need for determining by research the prevalence and forms of sex-biased attitudes and behaviors among counselors, and ways of reducing sex biases through counselor training are discussed.

Sex-role stereotyping in mental health standards in Israel

“…Thus group mean scores in this study are the average total scores within each group. This permitted us to compare more readily our results with Maslin and Davis' (1975) study, which adopted identical scoring procedures. It should be noted that a high total score is indicative of more stereotypically masculine behavior.…”

“…I n a 3 X 2 X 3 analysis of variance: profession X rater sex X ratee sex, no main or interaction effects were found for profession on sex stereotype scores. Because the Maslin and Davis (1975) study used counselorsin-training while the present study utilized both trainees and senior therapists, "therapist status" was treated as an independent variable and therapists were dichotomized as either iLseniors'l ( N = 36), those who had completed an internship in psychotherapy in an accredited training institute and had at least 2 years' post internship experience, or "juniors" ( N = 24), those who were still undergoing training in an accredited institution. A 2 X 2 X 3 analysis of variance: therapist status X rater sex X ratee sex, showed no main or interaction effects for therapist status on sex stereotype scores.…”

“…While the above evidence suggests some change in females' perceptions of mental health, this is less apparent for males. Male counselors in the Maslin and Davis (1975) study, for example, rated healthy males and adults in general as similar, but still maintained the traditional stereotypically feminine standard for female mental health. Similarly, a task force set up in 1974 by the Board of Professional Affairs of the American Psychological Association to examine sex bias and sexrole stereotypes as they affect women as students, practitioners and consumers of psychotherapy found that male therapists actively employ sexist notions in therapy by encouraging females to be less career oriented and assertive and to find selfactualization in their roles as mother and wife.…”

“…The present research intends to replicate and extend the earlier work of Maslin and Davis (1975) on therapists' sex-stereotypes toward mental health. Thus in addition to a therapist population, the present study also will investigate a client population and a control group of nonclients with regard to their sex-stereotypes of mental health.…”

Attitudes of Counselors‐in‐Training toward Career Goals of a Male Client

“…Counselors, therapists, and other clinicians in the helping professions are not immune to the sex-role socialization processes that perpetuate these stereotypes. It is of increasing concern to researchers and educators that practitioners may unknowingly apply stereotypic notions of appropriate female sex role behavior to their work (Bingham & House, 1975;Maslin & Davis, 1975;Stricker, 1977). Without awareness of their biases, mental health practitioners become defenders of the status quo, covertly reinforcing their female clients for behaviors and choices consistent with the traditional feminine role and discouraging or ignoring behaviors that would make them more assertive and competitive (Oliver, 1975;Schlossberg & Pietrofesa, 1974).…”