Validity of the Butcher Treatment Planning Inventory as a Measure of Negative Treatment Attitudes

Abstract

This study evaluated the validity of the Butcher Treatment Planning Inventory (BTPI) as a measure of negative expectations and attitudes toward counseling. Undergraduate students completed the BTPI, the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale—Abbreviated Version, and the Expectations About Counseling—Brief Form during one administration period. Higher scores on the BTPI Closed-Mindedness and Low Expectation of Benefit scales were associated with more negative attitudes toward counseling. Furthermore, higher scores on Closed-Mindedness, Problems in Relationship Formation, and the Treatment Di ficulty Composite were associated with lower expectations to become actively involved in counseling. Participants reporting higher levels of psychological distress on the BTPI were less likely to expect warm therapeutic relationships and to take active roles in treatment. Relationships between attitudes and expectations about counseling were also evaluated. Participants reporting more positive attitudes toward counseling reported higher expectations to work with warm, empathic counselors and to take active roles in counseling and lower expectations for prescriptive, doctor-patient relationships with counselors.