Showing papers in "The Counseling Psychologist in 2023"
TL;DR: The authors found that women experience several career barriers at various stages during the trajectory of their career and that perceptions of career barriers are an integral construct to women's career experiences and theoretical prepositions in vocational psychology should explicitly capture this construct in future investigations.
Abstract: The career development of women has been a longstanding topic of inquiry in vocational psychology. Two previous major reviews in this area consistently identified that women tend to experience more career barriers than men. This major contribution sought to extend this work by providing a third systematic review of the literature on women’s career development. We focused our review explicitly on the experiences of women rather than women compared to men. We seek to answer the question that has been asked for 50 years: Do we need a separate theory of women’s career development? Our findings suggest that women experience several barriers at various stages during the trajectory of their careers. We make the case that perceptions of career barriers are an integral construct to women’s career experiences and theoretical prepositions in vocational psychology should explicitly capture this construct in future investigations. We discuss implications for practice, training, and education.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , a systematic review of the women's career development literature conducted by Fouad et al. is presented, highlighting systemic approaches across the areas of vocational psychology teaching and training, advocacy and practice, and research that are aimed to promote future research on women and work.
Abstract: In this paper, we react to the systematic review of the women’s career development literature conducted by Fouad et al. in this issue. We identify a variety of structural barriers that we believe have contributed to the limited advancements of research in this area. In line with recent discussions within the profession, we highlight systemic approaches across the areas of vocational psychology teaching and training, advocacy and practice, and research that are aimed to promote future research on women and work.
1 citations
TL;DR: The authors discuss three critical questions that are raised: Why aren't we "there" yet? What has this quarter of a century of study added to our knowledge? What do we still need to know?
Abstract: The review offered by Fouad et al. (2023) provides a critical mirror on the literature on women and career development. In this reaction paper, I discuss three of the critical questions that are raised: Why aren’t we “there” yet? What has this quarter of a century of study added to our knowledge? What do we still need to know?
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors extended the pantheoretical dehumanization framework by testing direct and indirect relations between dehumanization (i.e., a higher-order construct from experiences of transgender microaggressions and sexual objectification), internalization processes (e.g., internalized transnegativity, self-objectification), shame, and general mental health.
Abstract: Using structural equation modeling in a national, nonprobabilistic sample of 292 transgender women and men, this project extends the pantheoretical dehumanization framework by testing direct and indirect relations between dehumanization (i.e., a higher-order construct from experiences of transgender microaggressions and sexual objectification), internalization processes (i.e., internalized transnegativity, self-objectification), shame, and general mental health. The model explained 55% of the variance in general mental health. Direct relations between dehumanization and all internalization processes were positive and significant. Internalized transnegativity and shame were significant, negative, direct predictors of mental health, but neither dehumanization nor self-objectification were significant direct predictors of transgender mental health. Both self-objectification and internalized transnegativity directly predicted more feelings of shame. However, only shame yielded a significant indirect pathway from dehumanization to mental health. The indirect relations from self-objectification and internalized transnegativity to mental health through shame were significant. We discuss research, advocacy, and clinical implications.
1 citations
TL;DR: This article argued that this level of nuance in understanding people's career decisions is necessary in order to build a diverse vocational science capable of informing multiple levels of intervention, and pointed out the importance of studying individual differences along intersectional lines in explaining vocational behavior.
Abstract: In the following rejoinder, we respond to Betz, Phillips, Flores, and colleagues’ reactions to Fouad et al.’s major contribution (2023 [this issue]) on women’s career development. Particularly, we respond to comments highlighting the importance of studying individual differences along intersectional lines in explaining vocational behavior. We contend that this level of nuance in understanding people’s career decisions is necessary in order to build a diverse vocational science capable of informing multiple levels of intervention.
1 citations
TL;DR: This paper reviewed the methods, major findings, and conclusions of the Fouad et al. review of research on women's work and career development over the last 25 years, providing several examples of approaches to the development of separate theories of women's career development.
Abstract: This article reviews the methods, major findings, and conclusions of the Fouad et al. review of research on women's work and career development over the last 25 years. Following that, the paper addresses the question posed by Fouad et al. "Why arent we there yet"?, providing several examples of approaches to the development of separate theories of women's career development. The article concludes with counseling, training and societal implications.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the supervisory working alliance was tested as a mediator of the hypothesized inverse relations of cultural humility and collaborative supervision with supervisee nondisclosure (supervision-related and clinically-related non-closure) among a diverse sample of 214 supervisees in applied psychology and allied mental health programs.
Abstract: Given that at least half of supervisees (therapist trainees) never have their clinical work monitored or observed, supervisees who withhold salient information in clinical supervision compromise supervisors’ ability to monitor client welfare and promote supervisees’ professional development. Attempting to further understand the factors explaining supervisee nondisclosure, we tested the supervisory working alliance as a mediator of the hypothesized inverse relations of cultural humility and collaborative supervision with supervisee nondisclosure (supervision-related and clinically-related nondisclosure) among a diverse sample of 214 supervisees in applied psychology and allied mental health programs. Results supported the hypotheses that (a) descriptively, supervision-related nondisclosure was more prominent than clinically-related nondisclosure; (b) cultural humility substantially inversely predicted supervisee nondisclosure; and (c) the supervisory working alliance fully mediated the inverse relations of cultural humility and collaborative supervision with supervisee nondisclosure. Understanding the mechanisms underlying supervisee nondisclosure has broad implications for clinicians and researchers alike.
TL;DR: In this article , the authors identify and organize the elements of successful clinical case consultation in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a frontline psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder, according to the following themes: Organization, Knowledge Consolidation, Case Conceptualization, Directive Instruction, Nondirective Instruction, and Provision of Feedback.
Abstract: Research shows the value of consultation following training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a frontline psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder; however, the elements of successful CPT consultation are not delineated. This study’s aim was to elucidate the elements of successful consultation in CPT. Participants ( N = 41) were mental health clinicians, including psychologists, social workers, nurses, and psychiatrists, and consultants ( N = 4), who provided clinical case consultation. The clinicians participated in group clinical case consultation for 6 months following their workshop participation. Thirty audio recorded consultation calls were analyzed using thematic analysis. Elements were identified and organized according to the following themes: Organization, Knowledge Consolidation, Case Conceptualization, Directive Instruction, Nondirective Instruction, and Provision of Feedback. Important next steps include: (a) developing a model positing how the elements of successful clinical case consultation in CPT fit together and (b) identifying its mechanisms.
TL;DR: The authors conducted semistructured interviews with six Iranian international graduate students studying in Canada to explore existential concerns that may arise during acculturation, and found a connection between feelings of not being at home or uncanniness in an unfamiliar host culture and existential reflections.
Abstract: Cross-cultural transitions can evoke reflections about existential concerns. Yet, the literature on international students’ adjustment has neglected this important aspect. To explore existential concerns that may arise during acculturation, we conducted semistructured interviews with six Iranian international graduate students studying in Canada. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, we identified three overarching themes: (a) Migration as a Boundary Situation, (b) Facing Existential Concerns, and (c) Coping with Existential Concerns. Results highlighted a connection between feelings of not-being-at-home or uncanniness in an unfamiliar host culture and existential reflections. Results also revealed that existential inquiries may be masquerading as adjustment problems. Overall, the findings challenge pathologizing views of cross-cultural adjustment difficulties and highlight the lack of attention to geopolitical factors affecting international students’ experiences. We call for practitioners to consider the possible presence of existential concerns during acculturation, and the sociopolitical contexts into which international students acculturate.
TL;DR: This article investigated the messages, ideals, and critical experiences that constitute gendered racial socialization for Asian American men (AAM) throughout their development and employed interpretive phenomenology to analyze interview data from 15 sociodemographically diverse AAM.
Abstract: We investigated the messages, ideals, and critical experiences that constitute gendered racial socialization for Asian American men (AAM) throughout their development. We employed interpretive phenomenology to analyze interview data from 15 sociodemographically diverse AAM. We identified seven themes: (a) intergenerational parental ideologies, (b) geographic and neighborhood influences, (c) multilevel gendered racism, (d) silencing of gendered racial experiences, (e) survival by identity erasure, (f) rare experiences of affirmation, and (g) fragmented masculinity. Results illustrated a social developmental ecology of highly adverse lifetime experiences—comprised of gendered racism, shame and internalized oppression, thwarted attempts to perform hegemonic masculinity ideals, and minimal access to communities and resources for AAM’s identity affirmation in the United States—that may engender fragmented masculinity, or identity disintegration beleaguered by incommensurable gendered expectations across heritage ethnic and dominant cultures. Implications include systemic interventions to eliminate gendered racism and promote narratives and socialization practices that affirm AAM.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors focused on Mexican Americans' mental health disparities by examining mental health and attitudes toward seeking counseling in relation to relevant cultural factors, such as cultural values, generational status, and social class.
Abstract: As previous research points to the importance of studying a specific ethnic group due to within group differences among the Latinx community, this research focused on Mexican Americans’ mental health disparities by examining mental health and attitudes toward seeking counseling in relation to relevant cultural factors, such as cultural values, generational status, and social class. Based on a sample of 350 Mexican American college students, the findings revealed that better mental health was related to lower adherence of the familism value, higher adherence of the respect value, and higher subjective social class. Moreover, more positive attitudes toward seeking counseling was related to lower adherence to familism and traditional gender role cultural values. Lastly, our findings did not support the moderation hypothesis by generational status. Mental health professionals need to consider that multidimensional cultural aspects operate differently by hindering or enhancing help-seeking attitudes and mental health.
TL;DR: The authors applied relational humility model to address gaps in clinical supervision literature and found that relational humility significantly moderated (and amplified) the inverse relation between supervisory working alliance and supervision-related nondisclosure.
Abstract: Applying the relational humility model to address gaps in the clinical supervision literature, we tested the interpersonal constructs of relational humility, supervisory working alliance, and relational behavior as predictors of supervisee nondisclosure (i.e., clinically-related and supervision-related nondisclosure). We hypothesized that relational humility moderates the relation between supervisory working alliance and supervision-related nondisclosure and that the supervisory working alliance and relational behavior each uniquely predicts supervisee nondisclosure. Self-report data from 312 trainees in the United States receiving clinical supervision across training settings found relational humility, supervisory working alliance, and relational behavior explained over a quarter of the variance in the multivariate construct of supervisee nondisclosure. Relational humility significantly moderated (and amplified) the inverse relation between the supervisory working alliance and supervision-related nondisclosure. The supervisory working alliance and relational behavior did not uniquely predict clinically-related or supervision-related nondisclosure. Results are discussed for their practical, theoretical, and research implications.
TL;DR: This article developed a scale to assess the social class attitudinal profiles of people with social class privilege based on social class theory and other models of privileged identities, and generated an item pool reflecting different attitudinal profile.
Abstract: The goal of the study was to develop a scale to assess the social class attitudinal profiles of people with social class privilege. Based on social class theory and other models of privileged identities, we generated an item pool reflecting different attitudinal profiles. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis revealed a scale with four core social class attitude subscales (Social Class Prejudice, Acknowledgement, Awareness, and Action) and three additional scales reflecting independent social class constructs (Social Class Identity Centrality, Guilt, and Fortune). In Study 2, we found that the subscales fit together in a multifactor correlational model and established construct validity. However, the Action subscale surprisingly correlated positively with the Prejudice scale. Post hoc analyses revealed this correlation existed only for those high in just world beliefs. Taken together, the Privileged Social Class Attitudes Scale provides a new tool for investigating the attitudinal profiles of people with social class privilege.
TL;DR: This article used a phenomenological approach to examine the experiences of PTG and resilience of participants living in the United States, but originally from seven different countries, and four main themes were identified: survival mechanisms of pre-migration trauma, external resources and supports, PTG skills, and complex characteristics of resilience.
Abstract: LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face persecution and discrimination leading to escape from their home countries to places where LGBTQ+ identity and HIV status are grounds for asylum. Although researchers have documented this population’s experiences of pre-, during, and postmigration trauma, there remains a gap in exploring factors that contribute to posttraumatic growth (PTG) and resilience. Researchers in this study used a phenomenological approach to examine the experiences of PTG and resilience of participants living in the United States, but originally from seven different countries. Four main themes were identified: survival mechanisms of pre-migration trauma, external resources and supports, PTG skills, and complex characteristics of resilience. Implications for counseling research and clinical practice are discussed.
TL;DR: For instance, the authors systematically reviewed the immigrant and refugee research in counseling psychology and related fields, which included 323 empirical studies in 310 articles, over a 31-year period, and found that the proportion of acculturation and enculturation research has declined over time, while research on racial bias and discrimination has increased since 2000.
Abstract: This study systematically reviewed the immigrant and refugee research in counseling psychology and related fields, which included 323 empirical studies in 310 articles, over a 31-year period. We analyzed the content and methods in (a) participant characteristics, (b) study characteristics, (c) topics and theoretical frameworks, and (d) publication trends. To summarize key findings, top nations of origin included Mexico, China, and South Korea. English-speaking, young individuals and college students were overrepresented in study participants. Acculturation and enculturation was one of the most frequently used variables, topics, and theories. Nevertheless, the proportion of acculturation and enculturation research has declined over time, while research on racial bias and discrimination has increased since 2000. It suggests growing attention to sociopolitical dimensions of migration beyond cultural transition. Qualitative methods were frequently used when studying Middle Eastern immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ issues. We evaluated the findings from strength-based, bidirectional, ecological, and intersectional perspectives and suggest directions for research, practice, advocacy, education, and training.
TL;DR: The authors reviewed the literature on religiousness and spirituality published in three major journals in counseling psychology and found that the content and methods of RS research and operational definitions of RS constructs and suggestions for research and practice.
Abstract: This study reviewed the literature on religiousness and spirituality (RS) published in three major journals in counseling psychology. We aimed to evaluate (a) the content and methods of RS research and (b) operational definitions of RS constructs and suggestions for research and practice. At Level 1, we reviewed 901 articles that included an RS related word(s) anywhere in the article. At Level 2, we further analyzed 108 empirical studies and 31 conceptual articles that included RS as a study variable or a primary topic. Both quantitative and qualitative (i.e., thematic analysis) methods were used for data analysis. To summarize the key findings, major topics related to RS included mental health, wellbeing, LGBTQ experiences, help-seeking, counseling process, eudaimonic wellbeing, identity, discrimination, and minority stress. Religiousness and spirituality tended to be defined in a dichotomous way. We suggest future directions for research, practice, advocacy, education, and training, building on the holistic, multicultural, and positive premises of counseling psychology.
TL;DR: In this paper , a data-driven disability-affirmative approach was used to recruit people with physical disabilities through social media, who participated in semi-structured individual interviews about their psychotherapy experiences.
Abstract: Mental health providers often have little to no training on working with disabled people, and may hold negative biases toward disability (American Psychological Association [APA], 2022). Given these conditions, this study fills a gap in knowledge about the experiences of people with physical disabilities in psychotherapy, and data-driven disability-affirmative approaches. Purposive sampling was used to recruit people with physical disabilities ( N = 24) through social media, who participated in semi-structured individual interviews about their psychotherapy experiences. Consensual qualitative research methods revealed four overarching domains with multiple underlying themes. The four domains were: (a) positive therapeutic interventions and interactions, (b) negative therapeutic interventions and interactions, (c) in/accessibility of services, and (d) suggestions for improving mental health services. The results inform affirmative practices for psychotherapy with a stigmatized population. Implications for culturally-responsive clinical practice and training are discussed, as well as study limitations and directions for future research.
TL;DR: In this paper , the Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II (PGIS-II) was translated into German and investigated its psychometric properties, showing evidence of a bifactor structure with the total score providing the best representation.
Abstract: Personal growth initiative (PGI) is an important predictor of well-being. In the current study, we translated the Personal Growth Initiative Scale–II (PGIS-II) into German and investigated its psychometric properties. Our sample consisted of 210 adults gathered from Germany’s Mechanical Turk. The German PGIS-II showed evidence of a bifactor structure, with the total score providing the best representation. Results also indicated measurement invariance through the partial scalar level with the English PGIS-II given to a sample of 854 college students in the United States. The PGIS-II’s scores were positively related to general self-efficacy, internal locus of control, and positive affect, as well as evidenced small relations with external locus of control, negative affect, stress, and social desirability. Together, the results showed evidence for the psychometric properties of the German PGIS-II and the potential importance of PGI in German samples.
TL;DR: In this article , the authors developed an abstracted theoretical model concerning how counseling and counselor education researchers utilize saturation in their qualitative research, a method for ensuring methodological rigor and trustworthiness.
Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study was to develop an abstracted theoretical model concerning how counseling and counselor education researchers utilize saturation in their qualitative research. Given the importance of rigor and trustworthiness in qualitative research, this study addresses saturation, a method for ensuring methodological rigor and trustworthiness. The qualitative study included 23 participants from a range of social locations, methodological expertise, and research agendas. The findings from this qualitative study were analyzed and presented using Straussian grounded theory and resulted in the development of an abstracted theoretical model, which included the following: causal conditions, contextual factors, intervening conditions, actions, consequences, and a core category. The abstracted theoretical model can aid researchers in the process and practice of saturation. Advances in saturation can support the development of rigorous qualitative research design and methodological integrity. Discussion and implications are discussed across the areas of practice, education, advocacy, and research.
TL;DR: This article examined the associations between cultural humility, cultural comfort, and supervisees' satisfaction with supervision, disclosure in supervision, and the supervisory working alliance within cross-racial supervisory relationships.
Abstract: Clinical supervision is a cornerstone of clinical training, and supervision experiences are associated with important outcomes (e.g., stronger working alliances and more trainee disclosures in supervision). Psychology has made strides in understanding how cultural processes unfold in supervision, with the multicultural orientation (MCO) model garnering increasing empirical support, but less is known about the dynamics that occur based on racial differences between supervisees and supervisors. Therefore, within cross-racial supervisory relationships, we examined the associations between cultural humility, cultural comfort, and supervisees’ satisfaction with supervision, disclosure in supervision, and the supervisory working alliance. Survey results from Black, Indigenous, and people of Color (BIPOC) trainees ( N = 116) receiving supervision from White supervisors indicated that supervisees who rated their supervisors high in cultural humility and cultural comfort also reported higher supervision satisfaction and a stronger supervisory working alliance. Perceptions of supervisors’ cultural humility, but not cultural comfort, were related to a higher willingness to disclose in supervision.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors examined relations among subjective social mobility, life satisfaction, and mental health using polynomial regression with response surface mapping, and found no significant relations between subjective mobility and life satisfaction and found that both groups that experienced both subjective downward and upward mobility reported more depressive symptomatology than groups that remained in middle or upper social statuses in a sample of 567 adults.
Abstract: A common assumption is that upward mobility produces positive psychological outcomes. However, status-based identity framework and social class worldview model propose that perceived social mobility in either direction will lead to increased distress. Based on this claim, we examined relations among subjective social mobility, life satisfaction, and mental health using polynomial regression with response surface mapping. In Study 1, groups that experienced both subjective downward and upward mobility reported more depressive symptomatology than groups that remained in middle or upper social statuses in a sample of 567 adults. We did not find significant relations between subjective social mobility and life satisfaction. In Study 2, both groups that experienced subjective downward and upward mobility reported more depressive and academic distress symptomatology than groups that remained in middle or upper social social statuses in a sample of 7,598 clients from college counseling center data. The results provide insights relevant to multicultural counseling and training.
TL;DR: In this paper , a qualitative study was conducted to obtain a rich description of inadequate, harmful, and exceptional supervision experiences in clinical settings, where participants were presented with definitions and provided responses (n = 156) to open-ended questions describing their inadequate supervision experiences.
Abstract: Supervisees’ experiences in supervision vary remarkably. To capture such variability, Ellis and colleagues offered a framework for understanding and assessing inadequate, harmful, and exceptional supervision. Although their framework was supported, it did not offer a nuanced understanding of these supervision experiences. Using consensual qualitative research–modified, this study sought to obtain a rich description of inadequate, harmful, and exceptional supervision. Participants (N = 135) were presented with definitions and provided responses (n = 156) to open-ended questions describing their inadequate (n = 63), harmful (n = 30), and/or exceptional (n = 63) supervision experiences. Supervisees reporting harmful experiences described supervisors as neglectful and callous, whereas inadequate supervision reflected inappropriate feedback, unavailability, and unresponsiveness. Conversely, exceptional supervision involved safety, clinical paradigm shifts, and modeling specific techniques or theories. Implications for supervision research, theory, and practice are discussed.