Counseling competencies scale (CCS) psychometric properties: Application for trainee counselors in Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to translate the counseling competencies scale (CCS) in the Malaysian context, and subsequently to test the validity and reliability of the psychometrics. Specifically, there was a limited number of psychometric items to evaluate counselor-in-training competencies. Recently, CCS was designed to evaluate trainee counselor competencies including counseling skills, dispositions, and behaviors as it is one of the ethical obligations that need to be fulfilled. However, the CCS has not been adapted culturally or linguistically for the Malay population since it was developed overseas. Previous literature indicates that until now, only one study found translated CCS into Chinese language and culture. On the contrary, there were a few studies carried out on the reliability and validity of CCS. Yet, all of these studies were conducted outside the local context which was a gap in the implementation of this study. Hence, this study was implemented at 9 public universities in Malaysia with samples n=204 internship students and n=62 internship lecturer supervisors involved. The result empirically proves that the Malay version of CCS is valid and has a good consistency. This study also increases the number of competency psychometrics that are applicable to counseling supervision in this country. Furthermore, it provides supervisors and educators with a reliable tool to assess counselor trainee competencies. In contrast, the results might not be representative of all counselor trainees in the counseling program as only the internship students were involved. Future studies should involve trainee counselors from all semesters to ensure the generalizability of the findings.