Counseling Practice Research Articles

Variants of unknown significance in BRCA1 and BRCA2 among breast cancer patients in Middle Eastern and North African populations: A systematic review

Breast cancer (BC) is a growing global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Variants of unknown significance (VUS) in BC genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, complicate genetic counseling and treatment decisions, emphasizing the need for reclassification. This systematic review aimed to determine the spectrum of VUS in BRCA1 and BRCA2 among BC patients from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and to evaluate the current understanding and potential reclassification of these variants. A comprehensive search was conducted across electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase, for studies published up to early 2024. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies conducted in the MENA region that focused on BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 in BC and/or ovarian cancer, reported on VUS prevalence, and analyzed coding regions or known mutations. Data extraction was performed using a standardized form, and VUS was reviewed through multiple databases. The review identified 34 eligible studies, with a slight predominance of Middle Eastern studies (n = 18) over North African (n = 16) studies. On reclassification using the ClinVar database, 26% of the VUS were reclassified as benign or likely benign, 34.5% presented conflicting interpretations of pathogenicity, 2% were reclassified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic, and 16.5% remained uncertain. The remaining variants were either not reported or lacked classification. The included studies covered multiple countries in the MENA region, providing insights into the prevalence and characteristics of BRCA1 and BRCA2 VUS in BC patients. The continuous reclassification of VUS is essential for enhancing genetic counseling for BC patients, as it helps clarify the clinical implications of these variants. The findings contribute to understanding the genetic factors in BC susceptibility and may inform clinical practices in genetic counseling and risk assessment in this population.

Adherence to american urological association (AUA) vasectomy guidelines: a systematic review of current practice among healthcare providers.

Vasectomy, a common male sterilization procedure, has seen a surge in popularity following the 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade. The American Urological Association (AUA) vasectomy guidelines provide essential guidance for providers, outlining best practices for the procedure. We reviewed studies that examined adherence to the AUA vasectomy guidelines with regard to pre-procedure counseling, surgical technique, and post vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) practice, as well as studies evaluating the impact of these guidelines on urology and non-urology practices. A total of five studies were identified that assessed adherence to the guidelines. Only one of these studies evaluated adherence to all three aspects of the guidelines. The remaining four studies focused solely on the practice of PVSA. Overall, urologists exhibited greater adherence to the guidelines compared to other healthcare providers. However, the adherence rates were still suboptimal. Five additional studies were included that evaluated the use of home-based PVSA, which is not part of the AUA guidelines. Conflicting results were found regarding the test compliance. While the studies evaluating home-based PVSA may raise the question of including this approach in the guidelines panel discussion, it is important to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks before incorporating it as an option in future guidelines.

Impact of Lesion Severity in Fetal Cardiac Counseling.

Approximately 1% of all live births in the USA are affected by congenital heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of congenital defect-related illness and infant death. Although technological innovations have improved CHD diagnosis in utero, variation among fetal cardiac counseling practices persists. Our study aims to evaluate physician counseling content based on cardiac defect complexity. We conducted an anonymous survey of providers who perform fetal cardiac counseling. Participants stated their counseling practices for 21 CHD lesions, choosing from postnatal surgical intervention, termination of pregnancy, and/or postnatal palliative comfort care. CHD lesions were divided by severity into three groups. Chi-square tests were performed to assess whether counseling content varied based on provider response to the statement "some life is always better than no life at all." There were 138 respondents, with postnatal surgical intervention counseling frequency consistent among all lesions. Inclusion of termination and palliative/comfort care in counseling increased in frequency as disease severity increased, with the former being counseled more frequently. For tetralogy of Fallot (p = 0.02), interrupted aortic arch (p = 0.03), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (p = 0.03), and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (p = 0.03), those providers who disagreed with the statement that "some life is always better than no life at all" were more likely to counsel termination of pregnancy and/or palliative care compared to their counterparts. Our study found that the interventions and options included in fetal cardiac counseling vary based on complexity. Moreover, physicians' personal beliefs tended to influence counseling practices in some moderate or severe defects.

COUNSELORS' UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN NATURE AS AN ORIENTATION FOR COUNSELING PRACTICE

Human beings are the most noble creatures created by God and have a uniqueness that distinguishes between one individual and another. This uniqueness is a distinctive distinguishing feature between each individual, both psychologically and physiologically. The most basic thing for counselors to understand the individual as the orientation of counseling practice is whether or not the needs of the individual are met because the problems that arise in an individual are not met by their basic needs such as physical, technical, social, taste, and the needs of faith and piety. This will encourage individuals to be in disturbed daily effective life behaviors. Thus, a counselor must try to analyze the condition of the individual as a counseling practice, namely whether or not these five basic needs are fulfilled to be able to provide intervention or assistance to clients when providing counseling services so that they are ineffective daily living conditions.

Edukasi dengan Pendekatan Self-Directed Learning untuk Meningkatkan Pengetahuan dan Keterampilan Diabetesi dalam Pencegahan Ulkus Diabetikum

Diabetes mellitus (DM) can cause serious complications, including impaired peripheral tissue perfusion that risks diabetic ulcers and amputation. The Self-Directed Learning (SDL) approach is an effective self-education strategy in improving the understanding and skills of DM patients in preventing these complications. This community service program aims to improve the understanding and skills of lower extremity care in DM patients through education and hands-on training. Activities include counseling, foot self-examination, and proper foot care practices. Evaluation results showed significant improvement in participants' understanding of diabetic ulcer prevention, awareness in maintaining blood sugar levels, and selection of appropriate footwear. In addition, skills in foot self-examination, proper nail trimming, and moisturizer application also improved. The SDL approach proved effective in increasing participants' engagement in the learning process, so they were more motivated to apply the knowledge gained in their daily lives. This program indicates that SDL-based education can be an effective strategy in improving the foot health of people with DM and preventing serious complications.

The role of telehealth in psychological counseling: A comprehensive review

This paper conducts a thorough examination of the evolving landscape of psychological counseling, with a particular emphasis on the role of telehealth. In light of the increasing demand for mental health services and the advancements in technology, the study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the benefits, challenges, and implications of integrating telehealth into psychological counseling practices. The literature review traces the historical evolution of psychological counseling, exploring the transition from traditional face-to-face sessions to the digital era. A detailed analysis of telehealth technologies, including video conferencing, mobile apps, and text-based platforms, is presented, with a focus on their respective advantages and limitations. Empirical studies comparing traditional counseling to telehealth interventions are scrutinized, along with an examination of the effectiveness of telehealth in diverse populations, ranging from adults to children and the elderly. Legal and ethical considerations surrounding telehealth, including compliance with regulations and privacy safeguards, are thoroughly discussed. The paper also explores emerging trends and future implications, considering the integration of telehealth with traditional counseling approaches. A forward-looking perspective on technological advancements and the potential for hybrid models in the counseling field is presented. This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the current state of telehealth in psychological counseling, offering implications for the future of mental health services. The findings aim to inform practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with the integration of telehealth in psychological counseling.

The nonbinary god: Disaggregating spirituality and Christian religiosity among nonbinary Black womxn (NBBW).

This study examined how 11 nonbinary Black womxn (NBBW) in the United States experience and distinguish between spirituality and religion using an endarkened Black feminist decolonial paradigm and an Afro-Indigenous eco-womxnist cosmological theoretic framework. Data were from Project NBBW, a community-based participatory action research project led by Black sexual and gender minority womxn community members and researchers. We conducted individual semistructured interviews and examined participant's qualitative responses to the following research inquiry: How do NBBW perceive their relationship to spirituality and religion? Participants were 11 NBBW, aged 21-30, living in the United States. Participants identified as spiritual, not religious (n = 5); spiritual and religious (n = 4); and neither spiritual nor religious (n = 2). Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, we coconstructed six themes across participant responses. Themes about Christian religion specifically were as follows: (a) I was raised in the Christian tradition, (b) the "shoulds" of a "Black woman," and (c) oh, I'm going to do whatever I want because who did whatever they want? Jesus. Regarding spirituality, the themes were as follows: (a) God … you lowkey nonbinary, (b) in constant communication with both the universe and my ancestors, and (c) what would I have believed if we weren't colonized? Implications inform decolonial counseling practice and training, advocacy, and research for NBBW that untethers spirit(uality) from Christian hegemony. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Who I Am—or Who You Make Me To Be?: Adult Adoptees Imprisoned by Expectations in Intimate Meetings

Intimacy, including sexuality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), is central to every family and couples counseling practice, in a direct or less direct way. Many unique challenges faced by international adoptees in intimate relationships are connected with negative sexual stereotypes as well as racism. In this article, I explore how societal structures influence sexual behavior and intersect with internalized racism, shaping expressions of intimacy. The article concludes with culturally affirming counseling practices designed to support adult adoptees’ SRHR.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Community Pharmacists in Qatar Towards Contraceptives: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT In Qatar, hormonal contraceptives are available over the counter in community pharmacies. However, improper use, particularly by women with specific health conditions, can result in adverse events. Community pharmacists (CPs) play a role in counseling women and assessing eligibility for contraceptives. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of CPs in Qatar regarding hormonal contraceptives through a survey conducted from August to December 2021. Of 377 respondents, 136 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 35.3 percent). The mean knowledge score was 3.01, reflecting poor to moderate knowledge. The score fell between 3 and 4, with a maximum score of 6. CPs mostly counseled patients about contraceptives’ names, instructions on administration, and when to start (82.2 percent, 90.2 percent, and 90 percent respectively). About 40 percent of CPs agreed that their religious beliefs do not affect recommendations about contraceptives. Lack of private rooms (57 percent), and limited counseling time (55.1 percent) were identified as counseling barriers. The study concluded that CPs had poor to moderate knowledge but positive attitudes and fair to good counseling practices, suggesting a need for educational programs and interventions to overcome barriers.

Community Pharmacists' Responses to Acute Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis (GE) is a life-threatening disease caused by several infectious pathogens. The main goal of this study is to evaluate community pharmacists’ response to acute GE cases in terms of counseling, dispensing, and labeling. The study employed a novel approach using simulated patients (SP) to evaluate how community pharmacists responded to GE cases. A population sampling technique involved selecting pharmacies within Baghdad, Iraq, from March to July 2024. The SP simulated the symptoms of acute diarrhea and asked the pharmacist to manage his condition, then recorded all interactions with the pharmacists using a validated data collection method. The differences between variables were found through Chi-square tests; any alpha level less than 0.05 was considered significant. The study found variations in pharmacists’ responses about counseling, dispensing, and labeling across demographic characteristics. Regarding counseling practice, almost all males outperformed females in this practice. Also, those working part-time or from the Rusafah region performed better for counseling services than their counterparts. The most common drugs dispensed included metronidazole, loperamide, domperidone, ceftriaxone, ondansetron, metoclopramide, paracetamol, and hyoscine butyl bromide. Regarding labeling, female pharmacists and those working in the Rusafah region and with part-time schedules were more proactive in writing the required medicine information on the label sheet than their counterparts. Further, variations in labeling practices were also found across different demographic characteristics. Targeted interventions are needed to enhance patient care and medication education in community pharmacy settings.

How Do Nurses Decide on Missed Nursing Care? A Grounded Theory Study of Grassroots Arrangement of Nursing Care.

To explore the complete decision-making process and action logic of nurses making autonomous decisions that result in missed nursing care. The complex characteristics of patients in Intensive Care Units place higher demands on the allocation of nursing resources, as well as on the professional skills, resilience and ethics of nursing staff. Preventing missed nursing care is particularly crucial in Intensive Care Units. A theory construction qualitative study using grounded theory. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 nurses, including three head nurses and 17 bedside nurses. Head nurses provided insights into counselling and management practices. The theoretical model of nurses' decision-making processes comprise four strategies: setting priorities, seeking help, delaying nursing care and omitting nursing care. The latter two constitute missed nursing care. Inadequate staffing, task urgency and negative emotions can lead to omitting nursing care. This study proposes an original concept: grassroots arrangement of nursing care (GANC). Grassroots arrangement of nursing care includes the autonomous and adaptive decision-making process used by bedside nurses to optimise workflow in busy environments. It includes specific strategies and quality implications, enabling a nuanced balance between limited nursing resources, increasing patient needs and maintaining the best possible quality of care. Nursing managers should consider the dual aspects of grassroots arrangement of nursing care, support nurses' grassroots autonomy and streamline decision-making processes. This study follows the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ). No patient or public contribution.

Virtual Mental Health Counselling

What Is the Issue? The rate of mental illnesses, such as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, has significantly increased among people aged 15 and older living in Canada. In Canada, more than 1 in 3f those with mental illnesses do not receive adequate mental health (MH) services, with notable geographic disparities in the availability and quality of services. Specialized MH services remain particularly scarce in remote and rural areas. Providing MH counselling through virtual platforms has the potential to enhance the accessibility of MH services and reduce the stigma associated with in-person services. A review of the clinical effectiveness and evidence-based guidelines is required to help understand the potential role of virtual MH counselling in clinical practice. What Did We Do? To inform decisions regarding the use of virtual MH counselling for people with depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we conducted a rapid review and summarized evidence that compared the clinical effectiveness of MH counselling provided in a virtual setting versus in person. We also sought to identify evidence-based guidelines regarding the use of virtual MH counselling for these populations. We searched key resources, including journal citation databases, and conducted a focused internet search for relevant evidence published since 2019. One reviewer screened articles for inclusion based on predefined criteria, critically appraised the included studies, and narratively summarized the findings. What Did We Find? We found 6 systematic reviews (SRs) relevant to the present review that evaluated the clinical effectiveness of MH counselling provided through virtual versus in-person settings. Most SRs and their included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported results on the reduction of depression and anxiety, followed by PTSD and OCD. For depression, PTSD and specific anxiety outcomes (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder), the effectiveness of virtual MH counselling in improving these outcomes was comparable to in-person settings. For OCD, results were inconsistent, suggesting virtual MH counselling can be an alternative treatment where in-person MH counselling is not readily available. We found 5 evidence-based guidelines that provide recommendations on the use of virtual MH counselling for adults with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, based mostly on low-quality evidence or expert opinion. We did not find any evidence-based guidelines or relevant recommendations regarding the use of virtual MH counselling for people of any age with OCD nor children and youth with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Virtual MH counselling is recommended as a first-line intervention for adults with mild depression and for reducing symptoms of anxiety in older adults. Virtual MH counselling is recommended as second-line adjunctive or alternative intervention for adults with moderate-severe depression, certain anxiety disorders, and PTSD. What Does This Mean? Virtual MH counselling may improve clinical outcomes for people with depression, anxiety, OCD, or PTSD and can be used as a comparable or alternative treatment to in-person MH counselling. Virtual MH counselling may address equity issues regarding access to evidence-based MH services where in-person MH counselling is not readily available. Clinicians and health care decision-makers can use the evidence summarized in this review to inform decisions regarding the implementation of virtual MH counselling for adults with depression, anxiety, OCD, or PTSD.

Attitudes and knowledge for CBT-based psychotherapy among medical students and residents in China: a survey study

Background/aimPsychotherapy training for medical students and residents in China is still in development. To establish an appropriate training program, understanding medical students’ and residents’ current knowledge and attitudes toward psychotherapy is needed.MethodsOne hundred and forty-nine participants, including medical students, residents, and other health providers (HCPs), self-reported their understanding of 18 types of psychotherapy, negative attitude towards cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and their attitude towards psychological interventions and counseling in primary care (APIC-PC) through an online survey.ResultsParticipants’ understanding of psychotherapy was generally low (M = 26.25, SD = 22.99). Medical students’ (M = 34.42, SD = 22.61) and HCPs’ (M = 37.25, SD = 30.834) understanding was significantly higher than residents’ (M = 20.08, SD = 19.54), F(2, 146) = 8.63, p < .001. Participants from psychiatric departments (M = 33.85, SD = 25.89) understood more psychotherapy than those from non-psychiatric departments (M = 20.98, SD = 19.20), t(147) = 3.46, p < .001. Participants with a bachelor’s degree (M = 2.40, SD = 0.976) scored lower on the Negative Attitude Towards CBT Scale than participants with a graduate degree (M = 2.76, SD = 1.00), t(147) = -2.20, p = 0.029. All participants’ APIC-PC scores were relatively the same and indicated a neutral to slightly positive attitude towards psychotherapy and counseling practices. However, they showed a slightly negative attitude in the “willingness to counsel” subscale (M = 2.65, SD = 0.93).ConclusionThis study indicated a lack of knowledge of psychotherapy and a lack of psychotherapy courses for medical students and residents, especially those from non-psychiatric departments in China. Our findings suggest an urgent need for psychotherapy and relevant training for Chinese medical students and residents.Trial registrationThe study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06258460, website: httpsregister.clinicaltrials.gov).

Practices and perspectives of genetic counselors about high-risk pancreatic cancer screening: A cross-sectional survey study.

Surveillance of individuals at high-risk of pancreatic cancer using CAPS criteria and other expert consensus guidelines may result in earlier pancreatic cancer detection in some cases; therefore, clinicians are responsible for appropriately identifying and referring these individuals to appropriate high-risk pancreas cancer screening programs. This study aimed at assessing the perspective, knowledge, and clinical practices of cancer genetic counselors surveyed nationwide towards identification of individuals at high-risk of pancreatic cancer and utilization of high-risk pancreatic cancer screening programs. One hundred and eighty-nine genetic counselors who listed "Cancer" as their specialty on the NSGC website responded to the survey, which consisted of multiple practice-based, knowledge-based, and clinical vignette-based questions. Almost 70% of the genetic counselors surveyed accurately identified when an individual would be considered for high-risk pancreatic cancer screening, when using 2019 CAPS consensus guidelines as a benchmark. Access to high-risk pancreatic cancer screening programs and increased provider comfort in counseling individuals at high-risk of pancreatic cancer were found to be statistically associated in accurate identification of high-risk individuals in three of the clinical vignettes. Additionally, 60% of genetic counselors reported the majority of high-risk individuals accept a referral for pancreatic cancer screening, which shows a high uptake of patients accepting referrals from genetic counselors. Genetic counselors have high accuracy in determining who is eligible for high-risk pancreas screening; thus, they are the ideal providers for initiating referrals to high-risk pancreatic cancer screening programs. Genetic counseling programs and high-risk pancreatic cancer screening programs should establish a close working relationship to optimize the identification and subsequent referrals of high-risk individuals eligible for pancreas cancer screening.

Penerapan Multidisciplinary Nursing Health Services (MNHS) dalam Meningkatkan Kemandirian Masyarakat Peduli Sehat Rohaniah dan Jasmaniah

Background: The service aims to increase community awareness of spiritual and physical health through the application of Multidisciplinary Nursing Health Services. This activity involves the collaboration of various disciplines in the field of nursing, namely medical-surgical nursing, basic nursing, maternity and pediatric nursing, and community mental nursing. In its implementation, the service team held educational activities, health checks, counselling, and healthy living skills training for the community. Methods: The methods used include direct counseling, interactive discussions, and field practices that involve the community directly. Results: The results of this activity show an increase in community knowledge and awareness of the importance of maintaining physical and mental health, as well as increased community involvement in supporting environmental health and healthy lifestyles. Conclusion: The application of multidisciplinary health services in nursing is effective in building a community that cares more about holistic health, both spiritually and physically.

Comparing prediction accuracy for 30-day readmission following primary total knee arthroplasty: the ACS-NSQIP risk calculator versus a novel artificial neural network model

BackgroundUnplanned readmission, a measure of surgical quality, occurs after 4.8% of primary total knee arthroplasties (TKA). Although the prediction of individualized readmission risk may inform appropriate preoperative interventions, current predictive models, such as the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) surgical risk calculator (SRC), have limited utility. This study aims to compare the predictive accuracy of the SRC with a novel artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm for 30-day readmission after primary TKA, using the same set of clinical variables from a large national database.MethodsPatients undergoing primary TKA between 2013 and 2020 were identified from the ACS-NSQIP database and randomly stratified into training and validation cohorts. The ANN was developed using data from the training cohort with fivefold cross-validation performed five times. ANN and SRC performance were subsequently evaluated in the distinct validation cohort, and predictive performance was compared on the basis of discrimination, calibration, accuracy, and clinical utility.ResultsThe overall cohort consisted of 365,394 patients (trainingN = 362,559; validationN = 2835), with 11,392 (3.1%) readmitted within 30 days. While the ANN demonstrated good discrimination and calibration (area under the curve (AUC)ANN = 0.72, slope = 1.32, intercept = −0.09) in the validation cohort, the SRC demonstrated poor discrimination (AUCSRC = 0.55) and underestimated readmission risk (slope = −0.21, intercept = 0.04). Although both models possessed similar accuracy (Brier score: ANN = 0.03; SRC = 0.02), only the ANN demonstrated a higher net benefit than intervening in all or no patients on the decision curve analysis. The strongest predictors of readmission were body mass index (> 33.5 kg/m2), age (> 69 years), and male sex.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the superior predictive ability and potential clinical utility of the ANN over the conventional SRC when constrained to the same variables. By identifying the most important predictors of readmission following TKA, our findings may assist in the development of novel clinical decision support tools, potentially improving preoperative counseling and postoperative monitoring practices in at-risk patients.

Integration of Information Technology in Guidance and Counseling Management in Schools: Challenges and Implementation Strategies

The integration of information technology (IT) in school education has a significant impact on teacher professionalism and educational management, including Guidance and Counseling services. This study explores how IT improves guidance and counseling management in schools by improving teacher empowerment, administrative efficiency, and student learning experiences. Through a literature perspective, data from various research sources is analyzed to assess the current state and challenges of using technology in counseling services. Although technology helps in organizing student data, assessment environments, and offering personalized services, challenges such as limited IT knowledge among counselors, lack of resources, and concerns about privacy and consent to change hinder its full implementation. This research emphasizes that effective management of guidance and counseling services, incorporating IT, is critical to meeting students' social, emotional and academic needs. The study concludes that, despite these challenges, strategic use of IT can transform guidance and counseling practices, improving student development and academic success.

The Emergence of Evidence-Based Practice in Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Counseling

The Emergence of Evidence-Based Practice in Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Counseling

The Role of Ethical Communication in Counseling: Insights from the Hadith Speak Good or Remain Silent

Counseling is a deeply communicative process where effective interaction between counselor and client determines the success of addressing individual challenges. Counselors are tasked with creating empathetic, respectful, and wise relationships, ensuring clients feel safe to express their emotions and concerns. The principle of "Speak Good or Remain Silent," rooted in Islamic teachings and supported by the hadith from Sahih Bukhari (Index 5670), underscores the importance of ethical communication. This study examines the significance of this principle in counseling practices, focusing on its role in maintaining client confidentiality, fostering trust, and promoting a supportive counseling environment. Using a textual analysis method, the study delves into historical and contemporary perspectives on the principle. Primary sources include hadith texts and supporting Islamic literature, while secondary sources explore its application in ethics and professional counseling. The hadith is analyzed for authenticity through its sanad (chain of transmission) and matan (content), confirming its classification as sahih li dhatihi (authentic in itself) and a valid foundation for practice. Findings highlight the ethical and spiritual dimensions of speaking wisely in counseling, with practical implications for creating a comfortable, respectful environment for clients. Silence, as an alternative to unwise speech, is shown to be a critical tool for counselors to prevent harm and promote deeper understanding. This study offers valuable insights for integrating Islamic ethical principles into professional counseling, benefiting both Muslim and non-Muslim practitioners in fostering meaningful client-counselor relationships.

Optimism as a Predictor of Resilience in Aging: Counseling Approaches and Interventions

This study explores the relationship between optimism and resilience among elderly individuals in Salatiga, aiming to determine whether optimism significantly influences resilience within this population. Utilizing a quantitative correlational design, the study involved 94 elderly participants, including those living independently and in nursing homes. Data were collected using the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and analyzed using statistical methods to assess the relationship between the two psychological constructs. The findings revealed no significant correlation between optimism and resilience, suggesting that resilience in the elderly is influenced by a broader range of factors beyond just an optimistic outlook. These results emphasize the complexity of resilience in older adults and the necessity for a comprehensive approach in guidance and counseling practices. Effective interventions should encompass not only strategies to enhance optimism but also focus on boosting self-esteem, social support, spirituality, and positive emotions, while also considering cultural and cognitive factors associated with aging. This holistic approach is crucial for supporting the elderly in maintaining their psychological well-being and overall quality of life. The study's implications extend to the design of elderly care environments and community-based interventions, highlighting the need for settings that promote resilience through a multifaceted approach.