Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship skills and the self-concept levels of resident advisors in The California State University (CSU) system and to determine if these characteristics were significant in identifying effective and ineffective RAs. These characteristics were also studied to determine if they varied with gender, age, class standing, and grade point average. Finally, relationship skills and self-concept levels were analyzed to see if they were predictive of RA effectiveness. This was a descriptive, ex post facto study of the relationship skills and self concept levels of CSU resident advisors. The Relationship Self Inventory (RSI) and the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS) were administered to 210 resident advisors on eight CSU campuses. In addition, two Resident Advisor Effectiveness Questionnaires were completed on each resident advisor by supervisors familiar with that RA's day-to-day performance. The relationship skills and self concept levels of this population were identified and then analyzed to see if they distinguished between effective and ineffective resident advisors. The data were also used to determine if any subscales of the two instruments were predictive of resident advisor effectiveness. The Resident Advisor Effectiveness Questionnaire (RAEQ) was able to differentiate between effective and ineffective resident advisors. No significant differences were found on any of the subscales of the RSI between effective and ineffective resident advisors; however, the subscales Identity, Personal Self, and Self Criticism of the TSCS were able to differentiate between these two categories of resident advisors. The only moderating variable that was significant was class standing when compared with the subscale Moral-Ethical Self of the TSCS. None of the subscales of either the RSI or TSCS were predictive of resident advisor effectiveness. The RSI is not recommended for use in identifying effective and ineffective resident advisors because of its inability to discriminate between these two groups. The three subscales of the TSCS that were significant in differentiating between these two groups should be studied further to establish their generalizability. Incorporating these components of self concept into RA training is recommended as a way of increasing resident advisor effectiveness. This study determined that the variables in the RAEQ were effective in discriminating between effective and ineffective resident advisors. Use of this type of instrument may prove more useful in future research than using instruments that measure complex characteristics of personality such as relationship skills and self concept.