Peer Counseling Training and Resident Assistant Job Performance

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of peer counseling skills training on resident assistant job performance. Training in peer counseling skills was given to six of seventeen resident assistants working in the residence halls of Carroll College in the academic year 1990-1991. The communication skills taught in this training included attending, empathizing, questioning, summarizing, genuineness, assertiveness and confrontation. At the end of the semester, a job performance evaluation form was distributed to the students occupying the residence halls on campus. Comparisons of student evaluations for resident assistants who had been trained and resident assistants who had not been trained indicated no significant differences. These results were discussed in relation to procedural imperfections, scope of training and the possible occurrence psychological reactance. Future research in determining the interaction of personality types and successful job performance for resident assistants was suggested.