The Development of a Listening Scale

Abstract

Purpose: This study presents the development and initial validation of a Listening Scale (LS) that was used to assess the listening skills of a sample of Hong Kong counseling professionals and the potential penetration of psychoanalysis among this sample. Method: A total of 217 Hong Kong social workers, psychologists, and counselors were surveyed to develop and assess the scale’s internal psychometric properties. Results: Factor analysis confirmed a single factor structure for the LS, with 8 items. Internal reliability was good and discriminative validity was supported by comparisons with background information. Discussion: The LS shows promise as a meaningful, reliable, and valid measure. The LS could be useful to assess important dimensions of the practice of counseling professionals and to better assist their client-centered practice, and as a formative instrument for use by counseling professionals. Finally, the LS can assess the penetration of psychoanalysis where the psychoanalytic theory is not strong.