Search

The importance of studying the psychology of sexuality and exploring counselling techniques for individuals dealing with sexual attitudes and discrimination is steadily growing on a global scale. In recent years, democratic reforms, the rise of the feminist movement, increased communication freedom between men and women, the surge of research across various scientific disciplines, and other factors have all contributed to the growing public interest in this branch of sexology. The present era is shaping new laws and patterns, which are still being defined within today's science. Emerging are new types, categories, subdivisions, and fields that form the structural framework of this scientific field. The categories within the psychology of sexuality are regularly reassessed. Today, the development of sexology as a scientific field demands focused attention from both the scientific community and the state. This includes the publication of specialized literature, the training of university-level educators, the creation of master's programmes, and the formal recognition of the psychologist-sexologist profession (psychologist-consultant in sexology), along with the opportunity to defend master's and doctoral theses in this discipline. This reflects the dual challenge of clearly defining the scope of the psychology of sexuality while emphasizing the need for psychologists to be actively involved in sexology. The article highlights the psychologist's role within sexological support services, presents various models of psychological counselling for individuals facing sexual attitude issues and discrimination, and outlines ethical principles in psychological counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the experiences of men struggling with infertility. Design: This is a qualitative study, and the report follows the COREQ checklist. Methods: A team of nurse researchers conducted this research in Iran to examine the experiences of 11 men with primary infertility. The participants were selected through targeted sampling and underwent in‐depth semi‐structured interviews. The data collected was analysed using the conventional content analysis method outlined by Krippendorff. To ensure the study's accuracy, it followed the criteria proposed by Lincoln and Guba. Results: The central theme, "the threat to masculinity," was identified upon analysis. It comprises six categories: psychological pressure of confronting reality, frustration, discomfort with others, holding out against ridicule, tolerating unwanted opinions and advice and concealment of infertility and therapy. Conclusion: This study brings attention to the challenge to masculinity that men with primary infertility face as their central struggle. It highlights the importance of culturally sensitive care from healthcare professionals, emotional support, counselling services and public awareness to reduce the stigma surrounding male infertility. It can be valuable to evaluate and enhance infertility care in various settings. Implications for the Profession and Patient Care: To provide the best possible care for infertile men, it would be beneficial for nurses to pay more attention to sociocultural factors. Fertility care should be respectful of patients' beliefs and backgrounds. Impact: What problem did the study address?: Infertility care has been the subject of recent research, focusing on the impact of sociocultural factors.Male‐factor infertility is often overlooked in clinical care literature.There is a correlation between cultural background and men's acceptance of reproductive healthcare. What were the main findings?: Male infertility is often avoided in discussions due to its perceived threat to masculinity.Multiple factors, including societal norms, cultural expectations and personal experiences, influence the nature of men's struggles with infertility.Providing emotional support and counselling services is crucial so that men can openly discuss their fertility challenges and seek treatment without feeling ashamed or judged. Where and on whom will the research have an impact?: Raising public awareness and providing education about male infertility is crucial.Nurses must exhibit cultural sensitivity while caring for men experiencing infertility.Policymakers need to implement strategies to reduce the stigma surrounding male infertility. Reporting Method: The study is reported using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Patient or Public Contribution: No public or patient involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to describe the implementation of counselling services in addressing bullying at MAN 2 Deli Serdang and to analyze its relevance from the perspective of maqashid syariah. The research employs qualitative methods, with data collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The research informants include guidance and counselling teachers, the principal, and the vice-principal. Data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman approach. The results show that MAN 2 Deli Serdang effectively addresses bullying issues by implementing individual counselling, group guidance, and information services. Individual counselling helps students to open up, understand the reasons behind bullying, and find solutions. Group guidance aims at prevention and intervention, while information services raise awareness about the dangers of bullying. The school also actively engages in bullying prevention and intervention through the education of guidance counsellors, student education, information dissemination, the formation of an Anti-Bullying Task Force, and collaboration with parents, the Ministry of Religion, and the police. The implementation of counselling services at MAN 2 Deli Serdang aligns with the principles of maqashid syariah, particularly in aspects of life protection (hifzh al-nafs), intellect protection (hifzh al-'aql), lineage protection (hifzh al-nasl), honour preservation (hifzh al-'ird), and the creation of welfare (tahqiq al-maslahah) for all school members. This study concludes that the counselling services implemented at MAN 2 Deli Serdang effectively address bullying and are relevant to the principles of maqashid syariah.

International graduate students deal with an array of stress when arriving in the United States for the purpose of their studies. This stress relates to various difficulties with regards to their acculturation process. In the absence of family and friends, the importance of counselling services on campus is a vital resource for the support of international graduate student. This paper highlights the provisions and importance of culturally competent counselling for international graduate students on US campuses. Key implications are discussed for how university practitioners and administrators might best provide resources and support international graduate students in the future. This could lead to more effective results in the improvement of international students' mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research aimed to assess the status of counseling services offered to students with Learning Disabilities (SLDs) in Macca as perceived by their teachers. The research methodology employed was descriptive. The sample consisted of 330 teachers (174 males and 156 females) who work in the government schools in Macca during the 2021 academic year. The data was collected using a questionnaire that covered three areas: 1) Psychological counseling services (PCS) consisting of 12 items, 2) Social counseling services (SCS) consisting of 10 items, and 3) Educational counseling services (ECS) consisting of 9 items. The questionnaire was validated and its reliability was established. The findings revealed that the counseling requirements of secondary school students with Learning Disabilities (SLDs) in Macca, as perceived by their teachers, had a moderate average mean of 2.83. Additionally, the educational counseling services dimension was the top priority with an average mean of 2.88 and a moderate level of consistency, followed by psychological counseling services with an average mean of 2.81 and a moderate level of consistency. Lastly, the social counseling services dimension had the lowest average mean of 2.80 and a moderate level of consistency. The results also indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in the responses about the availability of counseling services for secondary school students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) in Macca based on gender, academic background, work environment, years of experience, or the overall survey instrument. The study suggested establishing clear guidelines for counselors to effectively deliver the necessary counseling services for SLDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health is the property of Canadian Periodical for Community Studies Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In order to achieve real inclusion and participation of all the members of the university community, it is necessary to promote actions based on respect and recognition of rights. In this process, guidance for university students with disabilities has become particularly important. This study, within the framework of the project "Analysis of institutional and informal support and guidance systems for university students" (funded by the Castilla y León Regional Department for Education), focuses on describing and analysing the adequacy of support and guidance services for students with disabilities in Spanish public universities, by identifying good practices. The method used is based on documentary analysis and content analysis of the actions and services providing support and guidance for students with disabilities included in the verification reports on university degrees and the websites of the 47 Spanish public universities. For the data analysis, a system of categories was established using the MAXQDA program. The results were differentiated according to the designation, scope of action, objectives, procedures, recipients, stage of studies and specific actions regarding disability. The results show that all the universities analysed have support services for these students at the centre of guidance organisation and management. The main good practices of note involve the network of agents that this process co-ordinates, including foundations, companies and institutions, as well as the plans, projects and/or programmes that encourage participation and that are adapted to the needs or difficulties that this group may encounter, especially those related to volunteering and adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has proven that counselling services are essential to solving the troubles in the mental health of international Chinese students in the post-epidemic stage. Online questionnaires were implemented for about 1000 international Chinese college students from three universities in Thailand. Results showed that female junior and senior students who stayed in post-pandemic Thailand longer than others were likely to suffer from mental health disorders. In addition, in Thailand, counselling has a significant positive association with the mental health status of the students. Therefore, it is recommended in this study that Thai universities should provide more counselling services to support students in focusing on education and adjusting or adapting to the environment abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Uganda, students face difficulty during career transition between different levels of education and employment despite government policies about implementation of career guidance and counselling services. Little has been documented about students’ levels of awareness, utilisation and extent of implementation of career guidance and counselling services within secondary schools in Uganda. Objective: This study aims at documenting students’ level of awareness and utilisation career guidance and counselling services, and how these services were being implemented in secondary schools in Uganda. Method: Cross-sectional survey was conducted using mixed methods in secondary schools in South Western Uganda. A total of 161 students in final year of secondary education (senior six) and 35 teachers across four schools met inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the study. Standardised questionnaires as primary tools of data collection were used. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS (Version 23) and content analysis for qualitative data. Results: Majority of students (98.8%) revealed high awareness about existence of career guidance and counselling services, while 87.0% reported utilising the services. Implementation of career guidance and counselling in schools was demonstrated by type of programmes, information sources, models, timing and information structure by class level. However, challenges to implementation were sited, namely student, teachers, administrators, parents and policy factors. Conclusion and recommendation: Career guidance and counselling services were available and used in secondary schools. However, implementation was affected by functional and structural challenges that affected the quality of career counselling information and required alignment to national development goals. Contribution: The efficacy of career guidance and counselling in secondary schools in Uganda was documented in this article.

This study examined the assessment of counselors' perception on counselling services provided in public senior secondary schools in Oyo State, Nigeria and its implications for stakeholders. Three research questions were raised to guide the study. The research design adopted for the study was qualitative approach. Population consists of all counselors in public secondary school in Oyo State. Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were employed to select five counsellors. An interview protocol titled "Interview Protocol on Counselling Services (IPCS)" was used to collect pertinent data. Thematic approach was employed for analyzing the data collected. Result revealed that various counselling services such as placement, appraisal, evaluation, information, orientation and referral were provided for students. It was found that services provided for students are not adequate. Also, findings point out to insufficient counselling personnel and inadequate counselling facilities as major hindrance to counseling services in school. In view of the findings, it was recommended that adequate facilities and funding should be provided for counsellors for them to be more effective in the areas of counseling. This will help students to solve their educational, vocational and social-personal challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing rates of mental ill-health among students in higher education has led to rising demand for campus counselling services and longer waiting times, while considerable unmet need also exists. To design more effective services, it is important to understand what aspects of service provision are most valued by students. We present results from a choice experiment using a survey of over 5,000 students in Ireland. Waiting time is the most important attribute for students, which has implications for the funding of services and we discuss ways in which this could be addressed. We also find considerable preference heterogeneity for attributes across students and we consider how this can be incorporated in the design of effective services. Finally, we address the issue of how any changes in the provision of campus counselling services might be financed, which is a particularly important issue within resource-constrained education sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has proven that counselling services are essential to solving the troubles in the mental health of international Chinese students in the post-epidemic stage. Online questionnaires were implemented for about 1000 international Chinese college students from three universities in Thailand. Results showed that female junior and senior students who stayed in post-pandemic Thailand longer than others were likely to suffer from mental health disorders. In addition, in Thailand, counselling has a significant positive association with the mental health status of the students. Therefore, it is recommended in this study that Thai universities should provide more counselling services to support students in focusing on education and adjusting or adapting to the environment abroad.

This study explored police officers' dispositions to utilise counselling services. Informants were 20 offers of the Lesotho Mounted Police Services (females = 42.5 %; constables = 57.5 %, age range 21 to 50+). The officers completed the Workplace Counselling Service Utilisation survey on their perceptions of the relevance and accessibility of counselling services by their workstation. Descriptive analysis results indicate the officers to perceive the value of workplace counselling for chronic health conditions and general well-being as well as for mental health support. The officers perceived their workplace counselling services inaccessible due to lack of privacy, as well as risks for stigmatisation for languishing health and poorer career prospects. Workplace counselling for law enforcement would be serviceable with infrastructure for privacy and confidentiality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: School counselling interventions have a substantial impact on students' educational and personal development. Individual and small group counselling, classroom guidance and consultation activities seem to contribute directly to students' success in the classroom and beyond. Aim: This paper attempted to study impact of counselling services in universities in Melaka state, Malaysia. Method: The research was carried out in four universities in Melaka, with a total sample of 564 students. Findings: The results showed that all research variables tested (awareness, resources, counsellor, management policy and effectiveness of counselling) were rated more highly in public universities than in private universities, with each variable achieving a p‐value of <.05. Implications: All research variables tested (awareness, resources, counsellor, management policy and effectiveness of counselling) were rated more highly in public universities than in private universities. It is possible that this is because public universities follow Act 580 of the Counselling Act, which makes it compulsory for public universities to have counsellors, while this is not the case for private universities. Employing a counsellor is an additional cost and it may be that there is more reluctance to invest in the welfare of students in the private sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to assess the counselling services provided to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) under the Indian programme of prevention of parent-to-child transmission of HIV (PPTCT). Five hospitals in Delhi providing PMTCT services were randomly selected. A total of 201 post-test counselled women were interviewed using a modified version of the UNICEF-PPTCT evaluation tool. Knowledge about HIV transmission from mother-to-child was low. Post-test counselling mainly helped in increasing the knowledge of HIV transmission; yet 20%–30% of the clients missed this opportunity. Discussion on window period, other sexually transmitted diseases and danger signs of pregnancy were grossly neglected. The PMTCT services during the antenatal period are feasible and agreeable to be provided; however, certain aspects, like lack of privacy, confidentiality of HIV status of the client, counsellor’s ‘hurried’ attitude, communication skills and discriminant behaviour towards HIV-positive clients, and disinterest of clients in the counselling, remain as gaps. These issues may be addressed through refresher training to counsellors with an emphasis on social and behaviour change communication strategies. Addressing attitudinal aspects of the counsellors towards HIV positives is crucial to improve the quality of the services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

In 2017, Orygen published the report, Under the radar: The mental health of Australian university students. The report recommended the need for national leadership and guidance to address what appeared to be an issue of growing concern for students and the university sector. This included guidance to: a) describe reasonable expectations of universities and the mental health sector in responding to student's mental health issues; b) promote evidence-based interventions and programs for supporting student mental health within these settings; and c) highlight opportunities for partnership between universities and community mental health services. In September 2018, the Australian Government announced funding would be provided to Orygen to develop an Australian University Mental Health Framework. As the project nears completion, this article provides an overview on the process and progress to date, including the key findings from extensive consultations across the university and mental health sectors and, importantly, with students. The article also presents the key areas of action for the university sector and the mental health sector currently articulated in a draft of the Framework, which will soon be available for wider consultation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the profile of students that seek counselling assistance at the counselling center of the University of Benin in Nigeria. This was an exploratory study that adopted a census method to obtain information from the six thousand two hundred and seventy (6,270) students that utilised the counselling services provided by the counselling center of the University of Benin during the 2015/2016 academic session. The findings revealed that male students sought counselling assistance more than female students, as did students within the age bracket of 21-25years. Also, 200 and 300 level students made use of the counselling center more than students of other levels. Academic issues were of the greatest concern to the students, followed by emotional concerns, then financial concerns, while health concerns were presented less often. It was recommended that more sensitisation and orientation programmes should be embarked on by staff of the center to heighten the relevance of the center to students, given that at present only about 25% utilise the services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Buca Faculty of Education Journal / Buca Egitim Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Buca Faculty of Education Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There is some evidence indicating that counselling services at universities are not optimally used by students due to certain factors such as access to counselling, stigma and the notion that counselling services as not important. Such factors may cause students unable benefited from counselling services. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the main factors associates with students' use of university counselling services. A qualitative research had been used to conduct the study with semi structured interview as the main tool used to explore students' perceptions of counselling services. The interview focused on few questions including the importance of counselling services to students, motivating factors and barriers towards professional counselling services, and primary sources of help and advice when students need help. A total of 10 undergraduate students were involved as informants for this study. Specifically, five (5) male students and five (5) female students, from various faculties and year of study participated in this study. The data were then analysed using the thematic analysis method. The findings showed that informants generally knew about benefits of counselling services. Among the benefits reported including counselling enabled students to receive assistant from qualified professional helpers and counselling as the best medium to express feelings. Nevertheless, barriers factors such as stigma and skepticism dominated informant's perceptions. Stigma and scepticism deterred informants from seeking counselling help. Moreover, the study also confirmed that informant's preffered non clinical sources such as family and friends for help and advice. Implications of data collection to counseling services at university level are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australian and international research suggests university students are experiencing heightened psychological distress, in part due to academic and financial pressures, isolation, loneliness and poor self-care. University years also often coincide with the critical transition period (between the ages of 17 and 25 years) when mental illness is most likely to onset. While the Australian Government's higher education policies have driven increases in participation and equity, little attention has been given to supporting the 'mental wealth'of students and responding to experiences (and risk factors) of mental ill-health which can place them at risk of academic failure. Further, mental health and suicide prevention policies across all levels of government have focused on providing educational support within primary and secondary school settings and largely ignored the role of tertiary education. This is despite the significant numbers of Australian young people engaged in these settings. There remains contention about the extent of the problem and whether the core business of higher education delivery includes supporting students' mental health and wellbeing. Regardless, universities across Australia have been independently developing policies and programs to respond to mental health issues presenting on campus. As such, national leadership and guidance is needed to: a) improve data collection on the prevalence of mental ill-health among university students; b) articulate the reasonable expectations of universities in responding to students' mental health issues; c) describe opportunities for partnership between universities and community mental health services; and d) promote evidence-based, appropriate and acceptable programs and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]