Effects of feedback mode on counseling outcomes using the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory: Does the counselor really matter?

Assigned 32 undergraduates to 1 of 3 30-min treatments: no contact (Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory profile only), quasi-contact (audiotape and profile), or direct contact (counselor and profile). Level of information provided was held constant. Multiple and multimodal outcome measures administered at pre- and post- treatment were analyzed using chi-square analysis and analysis of covariance. Results indicate that Ss in the counselor-contact treatment requested occupational information in significantly greater numbers. Counselor contact was also significantly related to goal attainment. As an additional outcome measure, an analysis of differential treatment cost is also presented. The selection of relevant and useful client outcome measures and the equivalency of treatments with respect to information and counselor contact are discussed as considerations for research. (23 ref)