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Abstract
Using the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping as a guiding theoretical framework, the current investigation followed the steps of instrument development outlined by Crocker and Algina (2008). The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the items of the Interpersonal Stress Scale-Counselor (ISS-C) using exploratory factor analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, and bivariate correlations. An exploratory factor analysis was performed on Sample 1 (n = 493) and revealed that the ISS-C consists of four factors that accounted for 62.60% of the variance of counselor interpersonal stress. The four factors consisted of 19 items in total and appeared to capture the constructs of Relational Tension, Professional Self-Doubt, Clinical Difficulties, and Counselor Burden. A confirmatory factor analysis performed on Sample 2 (n = 406) revealed that the four factors demonstrated adequate fit to the data, and likelihood ratio tests indicated that the four-factor model provided the best fit to the data in comparison to a three-factor and a two-factor model. The ISS-C showed very good internal consistency according to Cronbach’s alphas and the inter-item correlations performed on Sample 1 and Sample 2. Bivariate correlations performed using the Test-Retest Subsample (n = 187) revealed low estimates of test-retest reliability for the ISS-C at the factor level when multiple clients were used to respond to the items. However, estimates of temporal stability were acceptable when conducting bivariate correlations with participants who responded using the same client. Implications and recommendations for use among practitioners, supervisors, and counselor educators are provided.