Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Geneva Gray

Abstract

Previous studies have shown many aspects of the serious social concerns of attitudes regarding marriage and how an attitude toward marriage may directly be linked to declining birth rates, delayed marriages, and increasing divorce rates. However, previous studies have not shown emerging counselors’ and therapists’ attitudes toward marriage in the Western culture. Based on the social learning theory, the purpose of this study investigates the relationship between emerging counselors’ and therapists’ attitudes toward marriage and their (a) gender, (b) parental conflict, and (c) family structure. A quantitative research design was employed with a non-probability convenience sample of 81 emerging counselors or therapists 30 years of age or younger completing a survey. The emerging counselors’ and therapists’ attitudes toward marriage were examined using the Marital Attitude Scale, Children’s Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Multiple linear regression results indicated a significant negative association between attitudes toward marriage and parental marital conflict. Results did not indicate collective significant effect between gender, family structure, parental conflict, and attitudes toward marriage. The findings of this study may help emerging mental health practitioners heighten their self-awareness which could help enable them to make ethical decisions during the counseling sessions and to maintain professional boundaries despite their previous history or experience surrounding marriage and family.

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