COUNSELOR HELPING MODEL, PARTICIPANT ETHNICITY AND ACCULTURATION LEVEL, AND PERCEIVED COUNSELOR CREDIBILITY

An analogue research design was used to examine the relationships betw een participant ethnicity, acculturation level, counselor model of hel ping, and ratings of counselor credibility. A total of 199 community c ollege students (109 Mexican Americans, 90 European Americans) evaluat ed counselor credibility after being exposed to 1 of 4 counseling vign ettes. Evidence was found to support the hypothesis that ethnic backgr ound and adherence to cultural norms and behaviors are related to perc eptions of counselor expertise and trustworthiness. Results also showe d that loss of Mexican culture, rather than the acquisition of North A merican culture, is associated with less positive perceptions of couns elor credibility. Contrary to the cultural barrier theory used to expl ain underutilization of mental health services among Mexican Americans , these results suggest that aspects of the Mexican culture support th e use of counseling services among Mexican Americans. Implications for counselors and suggestions for future research are explored.