Publication Date

2005

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Sells, James Nathan, 1958-

Degree Name

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education

LCSH

Protestant churches--Clergy; Hispanic Americans--Pastoral counseling of; Hispanic Americans--Religion

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to find out which demographic variables are associated with characteristic patterns for Hispanic pastors' referrals for counseling problems. Prior research disagrees on the factors that affect or are related to referral practices. The author of the present study set out to examine Hispanic pastors' referral practices for counseling problems. Prior research had not been conducted with this population. A questionnaire was sent to 442 Hispanic Protestant pastors whose names had been obtained from district directories provided by denominational leaders. Fifteen questionnaires were returned as undeliverable, resulting in 427 potential respondents. One hundred sixty-eight questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 38 percent. The data was analyzed by chi-square analyses. No statistically significant results were discovered, except within one set of variables, educational level and referral for alcohol/drug (substance) abuse problems. Differences in referral patterns were found when substance abuse problems were encountered. Those pastors who held bachelor's degrees were more likely to refer than were those with graduate or advanced degrees. Those same bachelor-level pastors were more likely to refer than were pastors who had less than bachelor's degrees. An ad-hoc analysis was conducted, which revealed within-groups differences for six counseling issues: (a) marriage and family, (b) spirituality, (c) life adjustment, (d) drug/alcohol (substance) abuse, (f) sexual issues, and (g) mental illness. Although no firm conclusions could be obtained from the data, the results of the ad-hoc analysis indicate that other variables not studied influenced the respondents in this study to refer parishioners for counseling problems. These probable factors, although speculative, are discussed and suggestions for further research are presented.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [129]-146).

Extent

xiii, 158 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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