Mental Health Problems Among Graduate Students in Turkey: a Cross-Sectional Study
In this study, depression/anxiety and academic distress were investigated among graduate students in Turkey. The study sample comprised 459 graduate students who voluntarily completed an online survey (294 women, 64%). Independent -tests and multivariate analyses were performed to examine group differences. The results confirmed that depression/anxiety and academic distress scores varied according to sociodemographic variables. Whereas depression/anxiety and academic distress did not show significant differences in terms of gender and place of residence, students who had previously sought psychological help had higher levels of depression/anxiety and academic distress. Younger age, being a master's student, and being single increased the risk of having higher levels of depression/anxiety and academic distress. University counseling centers may benefit from these findings in efforts to identify graduate students at risk and apply appropriate prevention and intervention strategies.
The Effects of Different Types of Classism on Psychological Outcomes: Preliminary Findings
In interpersonal relationships, people make assumptions about others' social class standing and interact with them based on these assumptions, which constitutes classism. Classism has an adverse impact on people's overall functioning, although scholarly attention on the unique impact of different types of classism, as proposed the Social Class Worldview Model-Revised (SCMW-R; Liu, 2011), has lagged behind. To address this gap in the literature, we explored how different types of classism (i.e., downward, upward, and lateral) can account for unique variance as predictors of psychological outcomes. Overall, our findings indicate that there is a unique impact of different types of classism on psychological outcomes (i.e., stress, anxiety, well-being, attitudes toward mental health care), beyond social status and overall discrimination alone.
Married Asian Indians on H-1B and H-4 Visas in the US: an Exploration of Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Well-being, and Marital Satisfaction
Asian Indians comprise the largest group of skilled workers entering the United States on temporary work visas (H-1B). There are few studies that examine the constraints placed on H-1B visa holders and their families on H-4 dependent visas, and the associated stressors. In this exploratory study, we examined self-reported depression, anxiety, stress, well-being, and marital satisfaction among married Asian Indians on H-1B and H-4 visas in the United States. Participants reported moderate levels of stress and depression and mild levels of anxiety. Using multiple regression, well-being emerged as the only significant factor to explain marital satisfaction among both H-1B and H-4 visa holders. Implications for mental health, employment, and career counselors working with this group are discussed.
Racial Identity and Mindfulness as Predictors of Posttraumatic Growth in Black Adults Experiencing Race-Based Trauma
Racial discrimination and race-based trauma (RBT) have led to the development of various negative psychological and physiological effects among Black adults in the USA. There is a lack of understanding in relation to how various psychosocial factors influence posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the context of RBT among Black adults. The authors examined associations of RBT, racial identity, and mindfulness with PTG among Black adults while controlling for gender, household income, and duration of trauma. The sample consisted of 134 self-identified Black adults who met the criteria for RBT from the USA. The hierarchical regression analysis showed the final model with all the predictors accounted for 35% of the total variance of PTG, with racial identity and mindfulness facets accounting for 26% of the variance. The study provides a foundation for future research addressing RBT and promoting PTG in Black adults.
Voices of Australian Mature-Age Bachelor of Counselling Students: Telling Stories of Learning and Teaching Transitions
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed transformations on the higher education context of the twenty-first century that adversely impact students' learning in certain disciplines. On a mission to adopt ethics of care in research and practice, this research focuses on counselling education and its unique characteristics, by signifying counselling students' voices in such changing contexts. A qualitative exploratory multiple case study design informed by narrative inquiry was used, followed by a voice-centred relational method of analysis. Findings revealed voices, relationships, dominant narratives and power relations that influence counselling students' learning experiences. Implications for future research and practice for counselling education are highlighted.
The Impact of the Pandemic and Protests on Identity and Purpose: A Narrative Inquiry with an International Chinese Student
For Chinese international students attending colleges and universities, COVID-19 and protests related to racism intertwined to create impactful experiences. In this narrative inquiry study, Emma's experiences as a graduate student culminate in her story of identity and racism. Narrative themes of personal and cultural identity, experience and interactions with racism, privilege, and advocacy and social responsibility were constructed.
The Development of a Mental Health Program for Unaccompanied Minors in the United States
The unique needs of unaccompanied children (UC) and unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) often make it challenging for them to engage in traditional mental health services. This paper describes the development and implementation of a mental health program for UC and URM using a collaborative approach with key stakeholders. In the Exploration phase, we conducted an assessment of youths' mental health needs, barriers to, and recommendations for care through discussions with community partners. Next, we describe the Preparation phase in which we designed the program around three major domains: 1) training and consultation, 2) cross-sector collaboration, and 3) direct services. Discussion of the Implementation phase includes a description of youth served and program materials. Finally, the Sustainment phase focuses on recommendations for best practice informed by successes and challenges of program implementation. Findings have implications for future mental health programming for UC/URM.
The Lived Experiences of Chinese International College Students and Scholars during the Initial COVID-19 Quarantine Period in the United States
The purpose of this study was to explore Chinese international college students' lived experiences during the initial COVID-19 quarantine period in the United States. Using a descriptive phenomenological psychological method, data were gathered from 14 international students and visiting scholars from China using individual and focus group interviews. Four transformed meaning units that formed the structural base of the phenomenal experience were identified as Safety Concerns, The Salience of the English Language, Intersectionality of Policies and Complex Decision Making, and Unexpected Support and Benefits. Implications for policy making and support for international students' learning in the U.S. higher education institutions and future research recommendations are included.
Racial Justice Activist Burnout of Women of Color in the United States: Practical Tools for Counselor Intervention
The pervasive racially hostile climate in society can bring severe mental health ramifications, such as burnout, to racial justice activists. For women of color (WOC), intersecting identities presents additional challenges. Due to the significant psychological impact burnout can have on WOC activists, counselors need the knowledge and tools to address this mental health issue. This article aims to provide counselors with a guide to working with WOC racial justice activists in the United States by outlining challenges faced by this population, health and mental health effects of burnout, and counseling interventions.
Psychological Flexibility, Coronavirus Anxiety, Humor and Social Media Addiction During COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey
Psychological flexibility is associated with psychological health and affected by various factors. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of coronavirus anxiety, humor and social media addiction on psychological flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Variables were measured with online self-report surveys and data were gathered from December 2020 to January 2021 in Turkey. The sample consisted of 376 people (295 female, M = 29.88, SD = 11.05). The relationships between the variables were tested with path analysis using structural equation modelling (SEM). According to results, the constructed model showed that COVID-19 anxiety significantly and directly increased social media addiction (β = .17, p < .01), decreased coping humor (β = -.11, p < .05) and decreased psychological flexibility indirectly through social media addictions (β = -.08, p < .01). Humor coping significantly and directly increased psychological flexibility (β = .25, p < .01), and social media addiction significantly and directly decreased psychological flexibility (β = -.31, p < .01). Findings indicated that psychological flexibility is influenced by coronavirus anxiety, social media addiction and humor coping. Supporting humor coping and reducing anxiety and problematic social media use would be helpful to enhance psychological flexibility of individuals during the pandemic.
Psychological Capital, Well-being, and Distress of International Students
International students continue to experience myriad of challenges, some of which further transpired disproportionately during the COVID-19 pandemic era. To this effect, this study investigated psychological capital (PsyCap), psychological distress, and well-being among 188 international students attending U.S universities. Results using Hayes PROCESS indicated that well-being mediated the relationship between PsyCap and psychological distress and in particular moderated the relationship between PsyCap and depression. When higher education institutions are considering steps to mitigate psychological distress experienced by international students during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, based on the findings of our study, we suggest investing efforts and resources into two aspects: (a) promotion of positive mental health and well-being and (b) identification and development of positive psychological capital. We further discuss these results and implications for mental health promotion of international students in light of its limitations and recommendations for future research.
Professional Leadership, Racial Microaggressions, and Career Adaptability Of Minoritized Clinicians in the United States
The impact of racial microaggressions on career adaptability and professional leadership engagement of racial/ethnic minoritized counsellors in the United States was examined. The sample included 489 counsellors and counsellors in training. Structural equation modeling pathways indicated a positive pathway from racial microaggressions to both career adaptability and professional leadership development, and a negative pathway from career adaptability to leadership engagement. Additionally, a thematic analysis of written responses from participants who shared why they did not participate in professional organization leadership positions revealed four themes including limited time, opportunity or awareness, newness to the profession, and lack of desire or interest. Study limitations and implications for counsellors, counselor education programs, and counselling/mental health professional organizations are discussed.
Working Across Differences While Online: Examining the Experience of Facilitating a Virtual Group
A growing body of literature illustrates the benefits of online groups for clients, but few studies have examined counselors' experience facilitating such groups, particularly in regard to counselor work with clients of differing sociodemographic traits. In this study, graduate-level counseling students facilitated two psychoeducational college counseling groups via an online platform. Groups were tailored for Black and/or African American first-generation college students (FGCS) enrolled in urban high schools. Facilitator experiences using an online platform and counseling across sociodemographic variables were explored. Themes included barriers to cohesion building, difficulty of power/oppression discussions via a virtual setting, and adjusting tactics and expectations.
Validation of the Korean Version of Culturally Responsive Experiences in Close Relationships-Short Form
The authors developed and validated the Korean version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Short Form (K-ECRR-SF) with the goal of developing a culturally responsive scale. In study 1, a Rasch analysis was conducted on the 36 original items in the ECR-Revised (ECR-R) to select items that best represent anxiety and avoidance subscales by considering cultural equivalence. In study 2, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted for the selected 12 items with a different sample. The factor structures of the ECR-R and K-ECRR-SF through CFA were then compared through CFA. In addition, the K-ECRR-SF items were tested for related constructs (i.e., reassurance and support seeking, loneliness, dyadic satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and fear of intimacy) to its criterion evidence. The newly developed K-ECRR-SF is confirmed to be valid and culturally responsive scale in measuring attachment in Korea.
International Counseling Values: Recognizing Valued Approaches Identified by International Counseling Professionals Through Qualitative Inquiry
People may assume that the counseling profession functions with a shared set of values that promote well-being and mental health to individuals, families, and communities across the globe. Common values, such as described in training programs, ethical codes, and other areas, reflect the approach and direction for providing professional counseling services among counseling professionals throughout the world. The researchers designed this qualitative study using a phenomenological approach to explore how counseling values are experienced and implemented across various cultures. The 16 participants of the study include counseling professionals from different countries to increase representation from eight regions of the world. The researchers recognize valued approaches commonly identified among the participants implementing counseling services, including marital and family counseling, child and school counseling, faith integration, indigenous practices, and person-centered safe spaces. While each of these valued approaches is described in detail, final applications of the data offer proposed steps to improve the advancement of counseling on a global scale, including strategies for transcultural counseling training, resource adaptability, and bilateral development in the profession.
Exploring the Experiences of People who Engage with Pro-eating Disorder Online Media: A Qualitative Inquiry
The harmful consequences of eating disorders can impact an individual's physical, emotional, and psychosocial wellness. However, these consequences may be exacerbated by the use of pro-eating disorder online media. In this study, we used a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative inquiry to explore the experiences of an international sample of adults engaging with pro-eating disorder online media. Analysis revealed themes and subthemes and provided context for meaning(s) individuals experience when engaging in pro-eating disorder media. Implications for counsellors across the globe are discussed.
Effects of Academic Motivation on School Burnout in Turkish College Students
School burnout refers to psychological reactions to academic stress and loads and has been identified as a risk factor contributing to academic failure and subsequent mental health challenges. However, academic motivation, hope, and meaning in life can be potential combating factors against school burnout. This study aimed to examine the effects of academic motivation on school burnout in college students and explore mediator roles of hope and meaning in life. A path analysis was performed with the data collected from 544 Turkish college students to test the direct and indirect effects. The results showed that the direct effects from the three academic motivation variables to school burnout variables were larger than the indirect effects. Both mediators played roles in the relations between amotivation and efficacy and intrinsic motivation and efficacy. The last finding was that hope played more significant mediator roles than meaning in life. The results were discussed, along with implications for faculty, college counselors, and future studies.
"Treat Me Like a Dumb American": a Qualitative Exploration of the American Immigrant Counselor Experience
This qualitative study addresses the gap in the limited literature on the experiences of American immigrant counselors practicing overseas. Seven American immigrant counselors were interviewed regarding their experience. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive Thematic Analysis. Three themes were identified: lack of cultural knowledge as counseling technique, American stereotypes/politics within the counseling session, and issues surrounding lack of counseling regulation and transfer of professional credentials. Implications for American counselor education are discussed.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns on Refugee Mental Health: A Narrative Review
With over 80 million persons around the world forcibly displaced from their homes, 26.3 of whom are refugees, recent estimates indicate that the number of forced migrants has reached an all-time high (UNHCR, 2020). Already at a disadvantage, the closures of schools and key community resources aimed at combating the spread of the virus during the early stages of the pandemic contributed to further distress on the well-being of refugees. Recognizing that forced migrants are a vulnerable and underserved population and that the COVID-19 virus and the lockdowns put in place to reduce its spread severely worsened their multidimensional stressors, the authors used a qualitative narrative review with attention to the thematic analysis model to explore the impact of lockdowns on refugees' mental health by reviewing publications from April 2020 through May 2021. The review findings are categorized under three themes: (a) negative impact on mental health, (b) suggested intervention approaches/strategies, and (c) recommendations. Implications for counseling and research are discussed.
Racism and Stress-Related Growth Among Asian Internationals: Ethnic Identity, Resilience, and Coping During COVID-19
Experiences of anti-Asian discrimination following COVID-19 has deleterious effects on the mental health of Asian internationals residing in the United States. In this study, hierarchical regression models and Hayes' PROCESS models were used to examine the main effect and moderating effect of ethnic identity, coping strategy, and resilience on stress-related growth among Asian international students and workers ( = 237) in the United States who experienced racism during the pandemic. The findings indicated coping strategies and resilience were significantly associated with stress-related growth. Ethnic identity and coping strategies additionally moderated the link between the experience of racism and stress-related growth.
Assessing the Efficacy of Contextualized Group Counseling Education in Asia: A Mixed Methods Study
Many experiential learning teaching models are developed in Western cultures, with their efficacy not tested in non-Western cultures, especially in counseling education. This study examined the learning experiences of students (n = 52) enrolled in a culturally contextualized experiential teaching method implemented across a 3-year period in a Malaysian university Masters-level group counseling course. The course changes included group demonstrations by lecturers and peers, live group participation and observation, group dynamics map drawing and debriefing, paired group proposal writing and presentation, and group note- taking. This study adopted a mixed method approach with a short survey consisting of both standardized scales and open-ended questions, administered at the beginning and end of each 12-week semester. Archival data on students' evaluation was also retrieved from the year before the intervention, to compare with the 3 years of intervention. Results showed a statistically significant improvement in students' perceived group leadership skills and leadership characteristics at the end of the course. Students' overall satisfaction with the course quality also improved significantly from the year prior to the implementation of the new teaching method. Qualitative coding identified three major themes-active learning classroom that led to confidence in group counseling knowledge and skills; experiential activities in the tutorial sessions, with opportunities to carry out their proposed group activities; and formative feedback given throughout the semester during tutorial settings contributing to the higher course satisfaction rate. To conclude, we discuss the implications of contextualized experiential learning for higher education counseling pedagogy in the Asian region.
Trauma-Informed Supervision and Related Predictors of Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Prelicensed Counsellors During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In the current study, we examined individual factors, organizational factors, COVID-19 anxiety, and trauma-informed supervision as predictors of prelicensed counsellor burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS). In a sample of 282 prelicensed counsellors, we conducted two hierarchical regression analyses for counsellor burnout and STS. The variables of interest accounted for 38% of the variance in counsellor burnout and 32% of the variance in counsellor STS. In the model of counsellor burnout, statistically significant variables included age, caseload, setting, COVID-19 anxiety, and trauma-informed supervision. For STS, statistically significant predictor variables were age, caseload, COVID-19 anxiety, and trauma-informed supervision. Implications of the findings for prelicensed counsellors, supervisors, and counselling researchers are discussed.
The Effects of Perfectionism and Dispositional Self-focused Attention of Novice Counselor on Psychological Burnout: Moderated Mediating Effects of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies
The current study investigated the mediation effect of self-focused attention on the relationship between South Korean novice counselors' perfectionism and psychological burnout. We also examined whether cognitive emotion regulation strategies moderated the mediation effect of self-focused attention with a sample of 208 South Korean novice counselors. Moderated mediation was tested with the PROCESS 2.16.3 macro for SPSS and the index of moderated mediation. Bootstrapping analyses were used to examine the mediation effect of self-focus on the relationship between perfectionism and psychological burnout. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was also conducted to examine the moderation of emotion regulation strategies. Findings indicate that self-focused attention partially mediated the relationship between perfectionism and psychological burnout. Moreover, the indirect effect of perfectionism on psychological burnout through self-focused attention varied depending on levels of adaptive emotion regulation strategies. We present implications for counseling and suggestions for future research in an international context.
Perception and Experience of Sexual and Gender Minority Korean Youth in School Counseling
To comprehensively explore the school counseling experience of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youths in South Korea, we interviewed 14 SGM youths about their school counseling experience and the climate of their schools toward SGM. Results showed that a hostile school climate and the accessibility, confidentiality, trustworthiness, and LGBTQ competency of school counselors drove the reluctance of these youths to receive school counseling services. Implications for the role of school counseling services for SGM youths were discussed based on the findings of this work and the suggestions offered by the interviewed SGM youths.
Foreign-born Counselor Educators: Strengths, Challenges, and Areas of Support
This article features strengths and challenges indicated by foreign-born counselor educators in programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. To gain a deeper understanding of this topic, we utilized a convergent parallel mixed methods design with merged quantitative and qualitative findings. Quantitative results indicated that foreign-born faculty (FBF) experienced more strengths in the personal, spiritual, and health domains while facing more challenges in the social, political, and financial domains. In addition, a thematic analysis identified three overarching themes reflecting FBF's strengths, challenges, areas of support, and the impact of COVID-19: (a) adjustment as a foreign-born individual in the United States, (b) immigration status and procedures, and (c) working as a foreign-born faculty in counselor education. This article presents implications for FBF and stakeholders seeking to support this population, while also suggesting recommendations for future research.
Navigating Multiracial Identities for Women in a Predominantly Monoracial Society: A Qualitative Inquiry
The experiences of five multiracial women were documented in this study. A thematic analysis with a phenomenological framework was applied to the data analysis. Findings revealed five primary themes, including (a) experiences of microaggressions, (b) uniquely defined intersectionality, (c) making sense of one's multiracial identity, (d) significance of relational support, and (e) openness and understanding. Limitations of the study, as well as some helpful recommendations for counselors, are discussed.
A Conceptual Framework for Incorporating Mentoring in the Clinical Supervision of International Counseling Students
There has been an increased number of international students attending universities in the United States, which has resulted in a growing number of international students in counseling programs. Cultural differences necessitate culturally appropriate supervision models for counselors and supervisors to utilize when working with international students. The authors identify and delineate the challenges and unique supervision needs of international counseling students and highlight the importance of mentoring as a culturally appropriate complementary supervision technique when supervising international counseling students. The authors propose the inclusion of mentoring with Bernard's discrimination model of supervision as a strategy to enhance the counseling skills of international students.
Experiences of Stress and Help-Seeking Behaviors in Filipino Americans
A qualitative study using basic interpretive design identified the experiences of stress and barriers to professional help seeking among Filipino Americans ( 12). Filipino Americans employed both engagement and disengagement strategies in response to stress characterized by Indigenous, religious, and cultural responses. Filipino Americans preferred to seek support from friends, family, and community leaders and described individual, cultural, and community barriers to pursuing professional mental health services.
"Because Here, White is Right": Mental Health Experiences of International Graduate Students of Color from a Critical Race Perspective
To examine the mental health experiences of international graduate students of Color (IGSC) as they navigate through a multitude of systemic barriers, the researchers interviewed eight IGSC in the U.S. Adopting a critical race perspective, the researchers sought to address a persistent gap in the counseling literature, and explore how systemic influences of racism, xenophobia, and discriminatory policies impacted the mental health of IGSC. Three distinct themes emerged from phenomenological analysis of the participants' interviews in the current study: cross-cultural challenges, surviving racism and anti-immigrant sentiment, and mental health and wellness. Implications for how professional counselors can support IGSC as they navigate through multiple challenges are emphasized.
The Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy on Anxiety and Emotion Regulation in Thai Middle School Students
This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) in alleviating anxiety and enhancing emotion regulation in community-sample Thai middle school students. Forty-seven community-sample students in Grades 7-9 with elevated SCARED scores participated in this pre-post treatment-control study. Twenty-three in the treatment group attended the eight-session 2-hour semi-weekly CBGT. The remaining were the control group. Before and after the intervention, the participants completed the measures of anxiety and emotion regulation. Data obtained were subsequently analyzed using repeated-measures and between-groups MANOVAs. At post-intervention, the treatment group reported a significant decrease in anxiety but a significant increase in emotion regulation. Furthermore, when compared with the control group, their anxiety score was significantly lower but their emotion regulation score was significantly higher, respectively. Findings supported the benefits of CBGT in reducing anxiety in Thai middle school students and in enhancing their emotion regulation skills. Therapeutic implications for anxiety reduction were discussed.