Counseling Services Research Articles

Strategi Pusat Kajian Perempuan Solo dalam Memberikan Edukasi mengenai Pendidikan Seksualitas pada Remaja di Kota Surakarta

Teenager are in transitional period that requires appropriate information according to their needs and changes they experience regarding sexuality issues. Problems found in the field such as sexual violence, early marriage, unwanted pregnancy, and taboo perceptions about sexuality issues are the background of the importance of comprehensive sexuality education. The solo women's study center as one of the communities actively engaged in educating teenagers about the importance of sexuality education by considering the Comprehensive Sexual Education curriculum with the aim of increasing knowledge, making preventive efforts, and providing a safe space for adolescents. This research method uses a qualitative approach with a case study type, data collection techniques using in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation. The data that has been obtained is then tested for credibility using source triangulation, then analyzed using liberal feminist theory. The results showed that the strategies carried out by PUKAPS such as sea-project, femstride class, femstride safer space project, making the film “Payung Dara”, campaigning through social media, and advocacy services have a positive influence on the fulfillment of reproductive rights and the improvement of more inclusive sexuality education.

جِین(Gene): A Co-Designed Smartphone App for Genetics Education and Empowerment in the Pakistani Community.

In the Pakistani/British Pakistani community in England it is quite common for people to marry close cousin relatives, which can increase the chances of certain genetic problems in their children. Families in these situations often have little knowledge of genetics and encounter difficulties accessing genetic counselling services and culturally appropriate genetics information is needed to support these families. We describe the co-design of a prototype culturally sensitive smart phone app with the British Pakistani community, to improve understanding of genetics and genetic services.

HUBUNGAN FAMILY SUPPORT DAN BREASTFEEDING SELF EFFICACY PADA IBU MENYUSUI PMB YULI BAHRIAH

Breast milk (ASI) is considered the best and most important food for babies up to 6 months of age without the addition of other foods. The success of breastfeeding is very dependent on the support provided, both from the family and from the mother's self-efficacy in breastfeeding. The mother's condition can also influence breastfeeding success, such as confidence in her breastfeeding ability (breastfeeding self-efficacy). This study aims to determine the relationship between family support and breastfeeding self-efficacy (breastfeeding self-efficacy) with the success of providing exclusive breastfeeding to breastfeeding mothers at PMB Yuli Bahriah. The method used is quantitative by designcross-sectional, and the sample consisted of 20 breastfeeding mothers in the PMB Yuli Bahriah Kertapati work area in 2024. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire with specific questions regardingfamily support and the success of exclusive breastfeeding.Breastfeeding self-efficacy measured using a scaleBreastfeeding Self-Efficacy (BSE) and analyzed by testchi-square. The research results show that there is a significant relationship betweenfamily support, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Family support plays an important role in the success of exclusive breastfeeding, because it helps babies and families understand the importance of breastfeeding. Mothers also need to increase their self-confidence and motivation to breastfeed as well as knowledge about correct breastfeeding techniques through health service counseling.

Development of a Hybrid Training Package of Narrative Counseling Based on Parebhasan Culture to Improve Counselor Skills in Madura

Multicultural counseling is an essential approach for counseling services in Indonesia, with thousands of cultures and local wisdom. Multicultural Counselling is one of the keys to understanding the student's views, characteristics, and values based on their cultural background. One of the multicultural counseling developments is integrating Madhura's Parebhasan into the narrative counseling model. This research aims to develop a hybrid training design to improve counselor skills using narrative counseling based on Madhura's Parebhasan. This research used ADDIE's model to develop the training program. Data collection from 20 counselors in Madura used the reflection and training test and performance observation form. Data analysis uses descriptive, graphical, correlation, and regression analysis. The research results show that mastery of the material and practices in training affect the counselor's performance. Five Madhura's Parebhasans are integrated and suitable for escalating the effect of the narrative counseling procedure. The hybrid training package of Narrative Counseling based on Parebhasan has been developed and validated in practice. This research suggests testing the effectiveness and evaluating the implementation for the specific needs and problems of the students.

Psychological Distress and Associated Factors among Technical Intern Trainees in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Japan is experiencing significant demographic shifts due to an aging and declining population. In 1993, the Japanese Government introduced the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) to accept foreign national workers. While the number of technical intern trainees under this program has constantly increased, many of them face challenges in their daily lives, such as stress, health insecurities and limited access to healthcare. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the mental well-being of technical intern trainees, focusing on psychological distress and its related factors. This study included 304 technical intern trainees from 12 prefectures in Japan, and was conducted from August 2021 to October 2021. We used self-administered questionnaires in the participants' native languages to assess their sociodemographic conditions, health-related conditions such as health insecurities and healthcare-seeking behaviors, and psychological distress. The K6 Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was applied to evaluate the levels of psychological distress. Among the participants, 26.3% had moderate psychological distress and 2.3% had severe psychological distress. In addition, about 15% of the participants reported health insecurities and did not see a doctor despite wanting to. The multivariate model of logistic regression revealed significant associations between psychological distress and female gender (AOR 2.62, 95% CI 1.12-6.12), nationality other than Vietnamese (AOR 4.85, 95% CI 2.60-9.07), tough financial conditions (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.18-4.19), experiencing health insecurity (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.04-4.66) and the health behavior of refraining from seeking medical care (AOR 3.06, 95% CI 1.49-6.30). The top reasons for refraining from seeking medical care were the participants' limited knowledge about the healthcare system in Japan and their worries about medical bills. These findings highlight the necessity to extend mental health support services, including counseling services, and share information about Japan's healthcare system to supply medical services to the targeted technical intern trainee population.

Exploring the Psychological Health and Work Efficiency of Enterprise Employees under the EAP Perspective

Against the backdrop of rapid global economic advancement, intensifying corporate competition has made employee mental health a pivotal factor affecting both organizational performance and employee well-being. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), as structured mental health support services, have garnered increasing attention from corporate entities and academia alike. EAPs not only aim to address employees' psychological issues but also strive to enhance their work efficiency and overall satisfaction. By offering psychological counseling, stress management, and other comprehensive services, EAPs effectively alleviate workplace stress, promote mental well-being, and consequently elevate corporate productivity and competitiveness. Research underscores a significant positive correlation between mental health and work efficiency. Maintaining a healthy psychological state facilitates sustained high performance among employees, mitigating absenteeism and turnover stemming from psychological issues. As businesses increasingly prioritize employee mental health, the global adoption of EAPs is becoming more widespread. However, enterprises face various challenges in implementation, such as safeguarding employee privacy, low participation rates, and resource constraints. Thus, exploring the impact of EAPs on employee mental health and work efficiency, analyzing challenges encountered during implementation, and devising corresponding strategies are crucial for optimizing management practices and enhancing operational efficiency in enterprises.

Online Counselling in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Unknown or Necessary?

Online counseling as a method of assisting is currently very popular and widely used worldwide. Although the development of counseling and psychotherapy in an online environment began with the advent of the Internet, it is only in recent times that the online approach to supporting and helping individuals in crisis has been more systematically and seriously implemented. The popularity and significance of online counseling and psychotherapy in modern society are the result of social changes. In light of this, research was conducted to examine the attitudes and experiences of Bosnian citizens regarding online counseling and consulting with experts to overcome life problems. The study surveyed 100 citizens through a questionnaire, and the results indicate their insufficient awareness of the possibilities of online counseling and prejudices toward professionals. Also, a case study was presented – the first online platform for counseling and psychotherapy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as an example of good practice. Through a semi-structured interview, insight was gained into the professional experience of experts in counseling and psychotherapeutic work. The research results can provide insight into the availability of counseling services in an online environment and open up new research questions that could encourage professionals to engage in this form of psychosocial work.

Memahami dan Mengembangkan Potensi Anak Berbakat: Pendekatan Pendidikan dan Pendampingan Sosial-Emosional

Every child is born with unique characteristics that are viewed favorably by the Creator. No child is born without a life plan from God. The presence of a child brings happiness to parents who have longed for their arrival. Each child has different abilities and characteristics, even twins. This uniqueness requires parents to provide treatment that is appropriate for the child's condition. Children with above-average abilities are known as gifted children. In the field of education, especially in elementary schools, it is important for teachers to identify gifted children. A teacher's knowledge of the criteria for gifted children is crucial for determining the appropriate handling, as gifted children require special treatment to optimally develop their talents. Gifted children often exhibit unique learning styles, talents, and characteristics that necessitate individualized learning approaches. Despite their high intelligence, gifted children may also experience difficulties with social and emotional tasks. Therefore, they need a conducive learning environment and counseling services to support their social-emotional development. The development of creativity and moral education also plays a significant role in shaping the personality of gifted children.

A Paradigm Model of School Counseling Services based on Grounded Theory

Aim: The purpose of this research is to provide a model of school counseling services based on the conditions and implications of the grounded theory to help school counselors use appropriate services for the integrated development of students. Methods: The research method was a qualitative research that was conducted using the grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews and the translation of authentic school counseling documents were used in this study to collect data. Eight professional school counselors with doctoral degrees in counseling, who worked in schools as a school counselor for more than 10 years, and many of whom teach at universities, participated in this study.Results: The findings of this research are based on the field of grounded theory, including concepts of the factors and consequences of school counseling services. These concepts include: developmental needs of students, professional competence of school counselors, necessity of family awareness, cultural context, family lifestyle, education policy, entrance exam phenomenon, psychiatrists and drug prescription, therapeutic attitude instead of preventive attitude, non-governmental institutions and schools, student standards, and counselor standards. Conclusions: The findings of the research showed that the provision of school counseling services should be based on the developmental needs of students, the cultural context and lifestyle of families should be considered, school counselors should have the necessary standards to provide services, and finally, direct and indirect counseling services. The school should be provided in a specialized manner and in a regular framework to facilitate the integrated growth of students.

The Relationship Between Psychological Pain, Spiritual Well-Being, and Social Support in Turkish Women Undergoing Therapeutic or Elective Abortion.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between psychological pain, spiritual well-being, and social support amongTurkish women undergoing therapeutic or elective abortion. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 342 women who werehospitalized in the gynecology and obstetrics service of a city hospital between March 2021 and December 2022 in Turkey. The mean psychological pain, spiritual well-being and perceived social support scores of women undergoing therapeutic/elective abortion were 26.96 ± 11.21, 110.72 ± 13.09 and 64.09 ± 15.62, respectively. There were a significant negative correlation between psychological pain with spiritual well-being and social support. According to linear regression analysis, spiritual well-being, social support, age, employment status, economic level, history of abortion, number of abortion, current abortion type, and gestational week were statistically significant predictive factors of psychological pain. Therefore, healthcare providers can provide individualized psychosocial-spiritual care and counseling services that decrease psychological pain in women after therapeutic or elective abortion.

Empowering Orphaned Children Through Counseling: Enhancing Life's Meaning

Counseling services are very important to help children find meaning in life and overcome the various problems they face as adults. Children are the future of the nation and need attention; many of them lose their identity during adolescence but can lead good lives with an intact family. The aim of this study is to understand the implementation of counseling services in developing the meaningfulness of life for orphans at the Al-Washliyah Orphanage in Lubuk Pakam, Indonesia. The method used is a qualitative approach. The subjects of this study are the children of the Al-Washliyah Orphanage in Lubuk Pakam, Lubuk Pakam District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The results of the study show that the success of the counseling services at the Al-Washliyah Orphanage in Lubuk Pakam can be seen from several indicators, such as understanding a clear purpose in life, knowing how to find meaning in daily activities, recognizing their potential and knowing how to develop it, valuing life experiences, having positive relationships with others, creating a harmonious family within the orphanage, feeling gratitude and accepting themselves without comparing themselves to others, being optimistic about their life choices, learning valuable lessons from suffering, and having spirituality with the belief that Allah SWT loves them. The activities provided by the counselors to the children in the orphanage include religious activities such as prayer guidance, teaching reading and writing of the Qur'an, and moral guidance. The children at the orphanage can understand their purpose in life through various processes and activities conducted during their stay.

Mobility of older people in public spaces from agender perspective

For older people, asufficient mobility offer is an essential prerequisite for participation in social life and abetter quality of life. The goal should be self-determined everyday mobility that enables asatisfying and healthy life. Mobility depends on diverse individual abilities and needs. On the other hand, social structures as well as regulatory and spatial framework conditions limit the realisation of mobility services and their transport infrastructure. These framework conditions are characterised by the perception of social roles, the availability of resources and gender-specific attributions. For example, care and caring work is predominantly the responsibility of women in the age group of 50years plus. The availability of transport infrastructure is geared towards goals that are characterised by the needs of gainful employment and not the goals of care work. Conversely, the availability of flexible means of transport, such as cars, also decreases for women in old age for economic reasons. For this reason, mobility planning should take greater account of specific needs, such as orientation towards care objectives, counselling, and health services and place agreater focus on the local area. For elderly people, especially women, security needs are often an important factor in the decision to become mobile or to forego mobility. This includes perceived subjective safety, accessibility and protection from weather conditions such as slippery surfaces or exposure to excessive heat. If these basic principles are taken into account, more people can be guaranteed self-determined participation in social life.

The Impact of Attitudes toward Online Counseling on the Emotional Well-Being of Distance Learners at Knust

Web-based counseling is a cutting-edge delivery method that can reach college students who might not seek aid in person. Distance learning requires that learners access academic services remotely from the institution of study. Thus, academic services and support services such as counseling are remotely accessed. Due to the remote learning nature of distance learning, remote counseling or online counseling is the way to go. This study sought to understand the impact of attitudes toward online counseling services on improving the emotional well-being of distance students. The approach to the study is a quantitative research design using the adapted and shaped Positive Emotional Well-being Scale (PEWS) and the adapted and shaped Online Counseling Scale (OCS) questionnaire, which represents the average value on the Likert scale for online counseling was used to help evaluate the weak and strong perceptions regarding attitudes toward online counseling. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 354 students who were distance learners at KNUST. A Pearson correlation coefficient was computed to determine the relationship between Attitudes toward Online Counseling and Emotional Well-being scores. The variables Attitudes toward Online Counseling and Emotional Well-being were found to be strongly correlated, r (354) = .587, p < .0001. In all, there was a significant positive relationship between Attitudes toward Online Counseling and Emotional well-being among distance learners at KNUST. Findings, therefore, showed that a positive and strong attitude toward online counseling is significant in resolving the emotional well-being concerns of distance learning students at KNUST.

The Occupational Information Network (O*Net) Content Model Guna Menumbuhkan Career Construction

<em>The objective of the research is to test the effectiveness of The Occupational Information Network (O*Net) Content Model to Develop Career Construction for Teachers in implementing guidance and counseling services in schools. The research method is experimental with single group pretest-posttest design. The research subjects were 30 of Special Job Fair Teachers and 30 of Guidance and Counseling Teachers in Boyolali Regency. The instrument used is the career construction scale. The data analysis technique uses a different test (paired sample t-test). Research activities include in service training and on the job training. The research results showed an increase in scores from the initial measurement (pretest) of teacher competency mastery in fostering career construction with the final measurement (posttest) of 32.509 with a significance value [2-tail] of 0.000. These results show the effectiveness of The Occupational Information Network (O*Net) Content Model to Grow Career Construction through the extraordinary commitment, hard work and desire to learn of Guidance and Counseling Teachers. The hope is that they will be able to carry out experiential learning in their respective schools so as to create many best practices that can be referred to by other Guidance and Counseling teachers.</em>

Islamic Integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Improve New Students Self-Adjustment Ability

The ability of each individual is not the same, especially in self-adjustment. This study, aimed at analyzing the effectiveness of group counseling services with Islamic Integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy (IICBT), focused on improving the self-adjustment ability of new students at Agro Nuur El Falah Salatiga Islamic boarding school. The research approach used is quantitative with a quasi-experimental research design. The subjects studied were new students totaling 60 students. Based on the results of the Mann-Whitney Test, the experimental class and control class obtained a significance (2-tailed) of 0.002 <0.05. In conclusion, this study reaffirms that group counseling services with Islamic Integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy are effective for improving the self-adjustment of new students of Agro Nuur El-Falah Salatiga Islamic boarding school.

Navigating Diverse Career Paths: Students’ Perception on Career Counseling Need in Islamic Universities

This research aims to explore the needs of career counseling services for students in different majors in Islamic universities, and identify how these services can be tailored to meet their unique needs. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect and analyze data from undergraduate students in diverse majors at an Islamic university in Kendari. The study found that students in certain majors require more specific counseling, such as information on job market trends and technical skills development. Additionally, the study suggests that career counseling services can be tailored to meet the specific needs of students in diverse majors by providing specialized workshops and networking events, as well as spiritual counseling and guidance. Providing a combination of in-person and online resources can also be highly beneficial for students' career development. The findings of this study can inform the development of more effective and tailored career counseling services for students in Islamic universities, and help ensure that graduates are well-prepared for the job market and can make meaningful contributions to society.

HIV related knowledge and practices among undergraduate students in Africa: A cross-sectional multinational study

BackgroundAfrica has the highest burden of HIV/AIDS globally, with young people being the most affected. This study aimed to assess HIV knowledge and practices among undergraduate students in Africa. MethodsAn analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in ten African countries using an online, self-administered, pre-validated questionnaire. The study was conducted in 10 African countries, located in 5 different regions across Africa including Kenya, Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, during the academic year 2022–2023. A convenience sampling approach was utilized to collect the data. African undergraduates who were 18 years and older, enrolled in universities across ten African countries and were willing to participate and gave an e-informed consent were included.Shapiro-Wilk test was utilized to check the data normality. Student’s t-test and Chi-square test were used for continuous and categorical variables in independent samples. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for nonparametric comparisons. Logistic regression was used for identifying the predictors for the knowledge regarding HIV. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. ResultsA total of 3727 undergraduate students responded to the questionnaire. Most students were medical students (68.1 %), single (94.9 %), and living in urban areas (78.7 %). The overall median HIV knowledge score was 14, and medical students had significantly higher knowledge than non-medical students (p < 0.001). While the students had a strong understanding of HIV transmission, some aspects of their knowledge were inadequate. Most students relied on academic curricula for HIV information (72.3 %) and their institutions provided formal HIV prevention strategies (57.8 %). A low percentage engaged in risky sexual behaviors. The results indicated that being male (AOR (95 % CI) = 4 (1.2–13.2)), pursuing medical education (AOR (95 % CI) = 2.4 (2–2.8)), being in the final years of study (i.e. fourth, fifth, and sixth years) (AOR (95 % CI) = 1.3 (1.02–1.6), 1.6 (1.2–2.1), 2.4 (1.6–3.8), ever testing for HIV (AOR (95 % CI) = 2.3 (1.9–2.8), and ever engaging in sexual activity (AOR (95 % CI) = 2.6 (2.3–3) were independent predictors of good knowledge of HIV. ConclusionThe findings of this study reveal a notable proficiency in HIV knowledge among African undergraduate students, particularly those enrolled in medical programs. However, there remains scope for enhancing their HIV-related practices, particularly in the areas of routine HIV testing and the establishment of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services.

Information and Counseling needs Regarding Parenthood Decisions: Are Existing Services Sufficient and what Role does Depression Play?

Support needs in parenting decisions and the associated desire for information and counseling services are insufficiently researched, especially in relation to groups of people with mental health burdens. The aim of this study was to assess information and counseling needs in parenting decisions. In addition, we investigated whether more severe depressive symptomatology is associated with increased needs. A sample of 187 individuals between the ages of 20 and 44 was surveyed in an online study. Not having enough information on the topic was expressed by 45% of participants, and the desire for information related to multiple topics. A larger offer of professional coun-seling was desired by 65% of the participants, 74% (rather) did not know where to get it. Existing counseling services were used infrequently in relation to needs and with predominantly moderate satisfaction. Greater depressive symptomatology was not associated with increased information or counseling needs. Findings suggest an expansion of support services on parenting decisions. Further research into the needs of different groups and barriers to using existing services is essential.

The Effectiveness of Group Counseling Services A Client-Centered Approach to Increase the Confidence of Students Who are Victims of Body Shaming

This quantitative research with an experimental approach aims to determine the effectiveness of group counseling using a client-centered approach to increase the self-confidence of students who are victims of body shaming at MTs 2 Medan. The study population consisted of 150 students, and the sample was taken using purposive sampling. Data was collected by performing pre-tests and post-tests before and after the group counseling sessions using the client-centered approach. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test with SPSS. The results showed that after the group counseling sessions, there was an increase in self-confidence among the students: 5 students experienced an increase in self-confidence to the high category, and three other students experienced an increase to the very high category. The data analysis using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test revealed that the sig (2-tailed) value was less than 0.05, specifically 0.011, indicating that group counseling using the client-centered technique effectively enhances the self-confidence of students who experience body shaming.

Need for integration of genetic counselors in the Portuguese healthcare: Their added value from the medical geneticists perspective.

Genetic counseling plays a crucial role in providing individuals and families with comprehensive information, support, and guidance regarding genetic conditions. This article explores the benefits of the integration of the genetic counselor (GC) professional in Portugal and based on evidence collected from two focus group comprising Portuguese medical geneticists. The findings highlight the agreement of medical geneticists on the relevancy of GCs' integration into national healthcare as well as the need for education and training programs to enhance the genetics literacy of other healthcare professionals and increase public awareness and support for genetic counseling services. By incorporating GCs and adopting some actions suggested by participants as part of a future national strategy, Portugal can improve access to personalized genetic services and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their genetic health.