A Comparison of the Effects of Prejob Training and Job Experience on Nonprofessional Telephone Crisis Counsellors

This study, carried out in a telephone crisis intervention program in which nonprofessional volunteer counselors received 55 hours of prejob training, isolates the effects of prejob training & on-the-job experience. 3 groups were measured. Results show that counselor skills & knowledge increased greatly with prejob training, but did not show further improvement as a result of 5 months of experience. Attitudes such as acceptance of others & dogmatism did not change due to training or experience.