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In April 2021, The Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling Executive Council commissioned a time-referenced task group to revise the Responsibilities of Users of Standardized Tests (RUST) Statement (3rd edition) published by the Association for Assessment in Counseling (AAC) in 2003. The task group developed a work plan to implement a recursive process for document review, gap analysis, commentary representation, bias accounting, and content revision. While some updates to the document were minor, several substantive enhancements to the structure were made including a re-defined scope, definition of terms, and identification of values that are considered integral across all of the responsibilities. In addition the task group identified and included several updates to the document that are consistent with contemporary representations of evidence for test score validity/reliability and emphases on culturally responsive test administration, variance in score representation, training and supervision, use of technology-mediated testing platforms, and differential consequences of testing. [This content was prepared for the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling.]

This quantitative study explored the relationship between counselor burnout (Counselor Burnout Inventory, CBI), life balance (Life Balance Inventory, LBI), and self‐compassion (Self‐Compassion Scale, SCS) among 331 fully licensed and provisionally licensed counselors throughout the United States with at least 2 years of experience in various clinical settings and providing direct clinical services. Results of two canonical correlation analyses (CCAs) explored the relationship between (a) the subscales of the LBI and the CBI and (b) the subscales of the SCS and the CBI. Both CCAs indicated a statistically significant relationship demonstrating that: (a) increased life balance was associated with lower burnout and (b) increased self‐compassion was associated with lower burnout. Counselors experiencing burnout may turn to increasing their life balance or increasing self‐compassion practices to increase their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretically-driven instrument of achievement motivation and determine its validation. The Achievement Motivation Measure (AMM) is closely aligned with Atkinson and McClelland's (1948, 1953, 1961) theoretical constructs of achievement thoughts and behaviours. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis (CFA and EFA) methods evaluated the structural validity of a newly developed instrument, the AMM, by assessing achievement thoughts and behaviours. Participants included 632 graduate and undergraduate university students. EFA supported two factors (Achievement Thoughts and Achievement Behaviours) with 13 items. Findings of a CFA supported the modified two-factor model as fitting the data. The theoretically supported AMM effectively measured achievement motivation by assessing achievement thoughts and behaviours.

This study investigated the factor structure of the Juhnke-Balkin Life Balance Inventory (JBLI) with a sample of 429 Turkish participants. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the validated 10-factor model of JBLI did not fit the Turkish data. Therefore, a parallel analysis and an exploratory factor analysis were used to create the JBLI Turkish form.

This exploratory study examined the importance of a mentoring program using a purposeful sample of 16 first-year elementary school counselors. A qualitative analysis revealed the importance of support that participants received from their mentors and mentoring cohort group. Participants also indicated an increase in self-efficacy as a result of the mentoring program. Implications for counselor induction and preparation are discussed.

We describe best practices in reporting reliability estimates in counseling research with consideration to precision, generalization, and diverse populations. We provide a historical context to reporting reliability estimates, the limitations of past practices, and new methods to address reliability generalization. We highlight best practices including consideration of reliability estimates as function of scores, not scale, diverse sample, hierarchy of reporting reliability estimates, and methods of reliability generalization. Best practices in evaluating and reporting reliability estimates in counseling research are addressed. We consider the interpretation of reliability estimates across diverse populations; limitations of reliability estimates for common, published measures; and the reporting of reliability estimates in the practice of research and publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of standards related to demonstrating evidence regarding relationships with criteria as it pertains to instrument development was presented, along with heuristic examples. Additional measures and a comprehensive design are necessary to establish evidence related to the use and interpretation of test scores for the validation of a measure.

Nonlinear effects are both underreported and underrepresented in counseling research. We provide a rationale for evaluating nonlinear effects and steps to evaluate nonlinear relationships in counseling research. Two heuristic examples are provided along with discussion of the results and advantages to evaluating nonlinear effects.

Forgiveness is embedded within sociocultural elements of identity, including spiritual beliefs and orientation towards justice. Because Black American identity is storied and complex, Black Americans often navigate complex questions of forgiveness. We explored the extent to which Black Americans' spirituality and belief in a just world influenced their capacity to forgive with implications for mental health. A multiple regression analysis conducted using the survey responses of 166 Black Americans indicated spiritual beliefs informed beliefs about whether the world is just, and spirituality was positively associated with Black Americans' capacity to forgive. The positive association between spirituality and forgiveness was only significant when Black Americans perceived that it was beneficial to reconcile the relationship with the person who wronged them. Our findings are consistent with studies that address spirituality as a cultural asset worthy of exploration among Black Americans dealing with complex questions of forgiveness and justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review that examined 23 studies evaluating the effectiveness of child centered play therapy (CCPT) conducted in elementary schools. Meta-analysis results were explored using a random effects model for mean difference and mean gain effect size estimates. Results revealed statistically significant effects for outcome constructs, including externalizing problems (d = 0.34), internalizing problems (d = 0.21), total problems (d = 0.34), self-efficacy (d = 0.29), academic (d = 0.36), and other behaviors (d = 0.38). Further, a systematic review was conducted on all studies compared with Outcome Research Coding Protocol criteria. Results indicated that CCPT studies provided quantitative support and qualitatively promising to strong evidence in support of its use in the schools.

Life balance is an important construct within the counseling profession. A validation study utilizing exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression was conducted on the Juhnke-Balkin Life Balance Inventory. Results from the study serve as evidence of validity for an assessment instrument designed to measure life balance.