Due to increase in racial and ethnic diversification of United States (USA), most counselors can expect to see clients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. In addition to the increases in the number of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans, there has been an increase in the number of African subgroups that includes Nigerians. Within the past two decades, the USA has witnessed an unprecedented influx of Nigerian immigrants in most major cities of this country and universities. Though several studies have examined the general attitudes of minority groups to counseling, no specific studies have been conducted on the growing population of Nigerians in the USA. This study therefore examined The Relation between Demographic factors and Attitudes about Professional Counseling among Adult Nigerians living in the USA.
A sample of 225 first generation Adult Nigerian immigrants living in the Midwest region of the USA participated in this study (122 women and 103 men) from ages 20 to 63. Duration of stay in the USA ranged from 1year to 47years. Demographic form and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPHS) were used for this study.
Correlation matrix was conducted with the independent and dependent variables. Five multiple regressions were performed using the combined Independent Variables that were significant (Socio-Economic Status, Sex and Duration of Stay) with each of the Dependent Variables of Total Score, and subscales of Need, Stigma Tolerance, Openness, and Trust. Results showed that Socio-Economic Status, Sex and Duration of Stay in the USA were significant in predicting the Need and Openness subscales of ATSPPHS. Five percent of the variance in ATSPPHS Need subscale scores was accounted for by the regression model. T-tests results showed that no predictor variables significantly contributed to the regression model when other independent variables were controlled. But, 6% of the variance in ATSPPHS Openness subscale scores was accounted for by the regression model. Follow-up t-tests showed that only SES significantly contributed to the regression model, t = -.2.77, p = .006. However, participants scored low in ATSPPHS Total scores and subscales of Stigma Tolerance and Trust in mental health professionals.