Social justice outcomes and professional counseling: An 11-year content analysis

Abstract

Articles that assessed the outcomes of interventions based on multicultural-social justice principles, and that were published in a journal sponsored by the American Counseling Association or its divisions, Chi Sigma Iota, or the National Board for Certified Counselors, were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. A total of N = 35 empirical studies were identified for inclusion. The year published, methodology, population studied, sample size, operationalized constructs, and whether the study espoused a systemic or community focus were coded. Principal findings indicated a slight increase in multicultural-social justice outcome research over time, a need for more rigorous multicultural-social justice outcome research, and a need for scholars and practitioners to enhance their systemic and community-based conceptualizations of their clients’ presenting concerns. Other implications for counseling, limitations, and future directions are discussed.