Evaluating measurement properties of a modified affirmative counseling skills scale with social workers and school psychologists in South Florida

Abstract

Background

Mental health professionals can support LGBT youth in schools by applying affirmative-counseling practices to prevent stressors that affect mental health. Little is known about the use of affirmative practices in schools among school social workers and psychologists.

Methods

A modified version of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Affirmative Counseling Self-Efficacy Inventory—Short Form (LGB-CSI-SF) was administered to school mental health professionals [i.e., school social workers (n = 62) and school psychologists (n = 39)] in South Florida.

Results

The modified LGB-CSI-SF is reliable and may be used in schools with mental health professionals.

Conclusions

The modified LGB-CSI-SF can assess the need for affirmative counseling trainings.

Keywords:

• Affirmative counseling skills
• social workers
• school psychologists
• LGBT youth
• large-urban schools

Ethics statement

This study was approved by institutional review boards (IRB) at both Barry University and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Maria I. Tapia, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported as part of a Doctoral Fellowship through The Center for Human Rights & Social Justice from the Ware Foundation and Barry University School of Social Work.