Implications For Counseling Psychology Research Articles

Shorter Version of the Counseling Self-Estimate Inventory (COSE): A Sample from Turkish Counselor Candidates (COSE-TR)

Counseling self-efficacy is defined as a counselor’s beliefs regarding their ability to counsel a client effectively. Larson et al. (1992) developed the Counseling Self-Estimate Inventory (COSE) to determine counselors’ self-efficacy in the dimensions of microskills, counseling process, difficult client behavior, cultural competence, and awareness of values. The COSE has been used widely in the United States as well as being adapted to other cultures. The purpose of the present study was to obtain validity and reliability evidence for the COSE in a Turkish sample towards the creation of a Turkish version (COSE-TR). Analyses regarding internal consistency and construct validity were undertaken via CFA and EFA, and divergent and convergent validity assessments were performed. The devised COSE-TR obtained a Cronbach alpha coefficient of .92. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a four-factor model with 53.82% of the total variance explained, which the CFA also supported. The COSE-TR correlated negatively with trait anxiety as measured on the ‘State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Scale’ (involving only Trait anxiety STAI-T; Spielberger 1983), but positively with generalized self-efficacy as measured via the ‘General Self-Efficacy Scale’ (GSE; Schwarzer and Jerusalem 1995). As for language equivalence, there was no difference between the means of total scores obtained from the original COSE and the created Turkish shorter version. Results revealed that the shortened COSE-TR can be regarded as a valid and reliable instrument for measuring counseling self-efficacy with Turkish counselors. Implications for counseling psychology, counselor education and supervision in developing nations and the transculturality of counseling self-efficacy are discussed.

Neurosciences and adult health behaviors: recent findings and implications for counseling psychology.

The current review comprehensively examines recent advances in 2 innovative areas of neuroscience research on healthy adults regarding neuropsychosocial interactions on human cognition and behavior, as well as implications for counseling psychologists conducting research and in practice. Advances in how oxytocin influences prosocial behavior and the mitigation of social stress, and the influence of environmentally mediated gene expressions on the development of attachment disorders are surveyed and discussed in terms of how counseling psychologists might best integrate recent neuroscience research into a framework for therapeutic intervention.

Neurosciences, empathy, and healthy interpersonal relationships: recent findings and implications for counseling psychology.

In this article, we define the construct of empathy and its relevance for counseling psychology. The importance of deficits in empathic processes for most of the psychological disorders is presented within the context of the social brain hypothesis (Frith, 2007). We provide a review of empirical research about the neural correlates of empathy in terms of both the central and peripheral nervous system. We present recent evidence on the cortical and subcortical regions involved in different dimensions of empathy-emotional contagion, cognitive and emotional empathy, and self-regulation. Regarding the autonomic correlates of empathy, we present evidence about the correlates of sympathetic arousal associated with empathic processes and review data supporting the idea of the physiological linkage or synchrony as indicator of empathy in interpersonal relationships. The implications of these findings for counseling psychology, particularly for the psychotherapist-client relationship and for context of intimate relationships or couples therapy, are discussed.

Neurosciences of infant mental health development: recent findings and implications for counseling psychology.

This article is about the neural correlates of infant mental health and their correspondences to social emotional development. These correspondences are organized in terms of the definition of infant mental provided by Zero to Three (2001), centered on infants' capacities regarding the experience and expression of emotions, interpersonal relationships, and learning. We conclude with implications of these correspondences for counseling psychology-namely, working with children's caregivers to maximize children's healthy social and emotional development.

Neuroscience research on aging and implications for counseling psychology.

The advances in neuroscience have led to an increase in scientific understanding of the aging process, and counseling psychologists can benefit from familiarity with the research on the neuroscience of aging. In this article, we have focused on the cognitive neuroscience of aging, and we describe the progression of healthy aging to Alzheimer's disease, given its high prevalence rate among older adults (Alzheimer's Association, 2013). Common techniques used to study the cognitive neuroscience of aging are explained in regards to measuring age-related changes in the brain and the role of biomarkers in identifying cognitive decline related to Alzheimer's disease. Using this information and in collaboration with cognitive neuroscientists, it is our hope that counseling psychologists may further pursue research areas on aging as well as design appropriate interventions for older individuals who may be experiencing cognitive impairment.

Iraqi Children's War Experiences: The Psychological Impact of “Operation Iraqi Freedom”

This qualitative study investigated Iraqi children's experiences of “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and the meaning it had for them given their cultural context. Two focus groups were employed in Mosul, Iraq, to interview 12 children between the ages of 9 and 13. They elaborated on the drawings and letters that pertained to their war experiences. The Child's Reaction to Traumatic Events Scale (CRTES) was used for descriptive statistics. Results indicate a high level of distress amongst the majority of the children even seven months after the official end of the war in Iraq. A number of themes emerged that pertained to the children's war experiences, the meaning it had for them, how they coped, and their future hopes. Implications for counseling psychology are provided.

The Issue of Race in Counseling Psychology

The articles in this issue of The Counseling Psychologist discuss race and have implications for counseling psychology. Bryant-Davis and Ocampo’s (2005 [this issue]) article is about evaluation and treatment of racial-ethnic minority clients and patients and has implications for practice. Utsey, Gernat, and Hammar’s (2005 [this issue]) article is about the psychological issues and reactions to discussions of race in the training of psychologists and has implications for training. Delgado-Romero, Galvan, Maschino, and Rowland’s (2005 [this issue]) article is about what information on race and ethnicity is provided in articles being published in three important journals of counseling and has implications for research. Each article also mentions barriers to viewing race-related issues as important, incorporated, or acknowledged. With racism as trauma, the barriers are specifically mentioned: the psychiatric definition of trauma, moral disengagement, diluting the definition of trauma, compensation of victims, determining who is a legitimate victim, and pathologizing the victim of trauma. For discussing race and racism in counseling and in supervision, anxiety, apathy or disinterest, denial, and general psychological defenses are noted. Although not mentioned specifically, I add the barriers of a legitimate ignorance about racism or genuine lack of knowledge and awareness of racism. Barriers to race and ethnicity in research involve how racial classification systems can be used to support racism and oppression, and the universalism perspective in psychology. Each article in the Major Contribution has a central message to practitioners and/or researchers. This reaction will discuss the implications of, and some of the barriers to, addressing race and racism in counseling practice, training, and research. My reactions to each article focus on the question the article answers, the main point of the article, implications for counseling psychology, and general points that expand on the issues. My personal experiences and perspectives on these issues are presented to address reasons for the barriers and how we might be able to overcome some barriers to incorporating race-related issues into counseling psychology.

Use of Theory-Driven Research in Counseling

Three major journals in counseling psychology were sampled from 1990 to 1999 to assess the percentage of quantitative, empirical articles that were theory driven. Only 43% of the studies utilized a theory or model, and 57% predicted the relation between the variables, with few studies specifying the strength of the relation. Studies sampled in the Journal of Counseling Psychology (63%) and the Journal of Vocational Behavior (65%) reported a significantly higher percentage of theory-driven research than the Journal of Counseling and Development (43%). A higher proportion of Journal of Counseling Psychology studies compared with Journal of Counseling and Development studies anchored findings to theory. Few studies replicated previous studies. This paucity implies that replication is underutilized by the field as a potentially fruitful way to substantiate empirical knowledge. A binary logistic regression was conducted to examine trends over time. No trends emerged. Suggestions for future implementation of theory and implications for counseling psychology as a field are offered.