Abstract

This study investigated specific factors that may impact attitudes and expectations about counseling by assessing athletic identity, attitudes toward help-seeking behavior, and expectations about counseling of 408 university student athletes. Participants were 414 athletes from a Northeastern university in the USA (M = 19.72, SD = 1.34). Measures were the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPHS), the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS), and the Expectations about Counseling Questionnaire (EAC). Data indicated significant differences between males and females on the ATSPPHS (F(1, 404) = 40.47, p = .001); the AIMS, (F(1, 404) = 15.17, p = .001), and the EAC (F(1, 403) =13.05, p = .001). For both male ( = -0.205) and female ( = -0.232) student athletes, expectations about counseling were a significant predictor of attitudes toward counseling. However, athletic identity did not contribute significantly to the variability in attitude scores in this sample. Given these findings, it will be important for professional personnel addressing student athletes to consider presenting the information about counseling services in a gender-specific manner. In addition, it would be helpful for programming on counseling services for student athletes to address the counseling process and how one participates in counseling.