Objective self-awareness as a variable in counseling process and outcome

• Published in: Journal of counseling psychology 1982-07, Vol.29 (4), p.421-424
• Main Authors: Damsteegt, Don C, Christoffersen, Julie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Client Characteristics; Counseling; Human; Psychotherapeutic Processes; Self-Concept; Self-Perception; Treatment Outcomes
• ISSN: 0022-0167; 1939-2168
• DOI: 10.1037/0022-0167.29.4.421

Hypothesized that client objective self-awareness (OSA), as both a transient state and an enduring trait, is important in counseling. OSA refers to reflexive attention to oneself and internal comparison of one's own behavior with salient societal or personally held values. 60 undergraduates completed the Private Self-Consciousness subscale of The Self-Consciousness Scale, the Procrastination Log, and the Procrastination Inventory. Two levels of trait OSA were used as a blocking variable, while 3 counseling conditions varied the amount of state OSA. The self-aware condition sought to enhance S self-focus, the non-self-aware condition sought to minimize S self-focus, and the control group received no counseling. Findings indicate an interaction between trait and state dimensions such that Ss high in trait OSA were most affected by the interview that sought to enhance state OSA. Ss low in trait OSA were the only ones who made changes over time in behavior and self-satisfaction. Findings have implications for therapeutic approaches to clients with differing amounts of dispositional self-consciousness. (15 ref)