GENDER IN THE CONTEXT OF SUPPORTIVE AND CHALLENGING RELIGIOUS COUNSELING INTERVENTIONS

This study explored an interactive framework for understanding how gen der influences the counseling process in religious counseling. Partici pants (N = 314) viewed 1 of 16 videotapes in which either a male or fe male counselor interacted with a male or female client about a religio us problem. Counselors either supported or challenged the clients' rel igious values. It was found that female counselors were perceived as m ore religious and effective than were their male counterparts. Multipl e regression was used to demonstrate that perception of counselors' re ligiousness partially mediates the influence of gender on perceived ef fectiveness of the counselor. Results illustrate that the effects of g ender on the counseling process can be predicted with an interactive m odel. Participants' religiousness also interacted with intervention ty pe to influence their perceptions of the counselors.