Construction and Validation of School Counselor’s Efficiency Measurement Scale

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

This study aimed to construct and validate a scale for assessing efficiency in school counselors. This mixed methods study followed an exploratory approach. In the qualitative section, the statistical population included all professors and specialists in the field of counseling in Iran, as well as teachers, counselors, and lower secondary school students in Ardabil province in the 2021-2022 academic year, 46 of whom were selected by purposive and snowball sampling. In the quantitative section, the statistical population included all school counselors and liaison counselors (in primary schools) of Ardabil province in the 2021-2022 academic year. In the quantitative section, two samples were used. In the first sample, 220 people were selected for exploratory factor analysis and in the second stage, 205 counselors and liaison counselors were selected through multistage cluster random sampling for confirmatory factor analysis. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data in the qualitative section and the School Counselor’s Efficiency Measurement Scale and the School Counselor’s Professional Ethics Scale were used in the quantitative section. The data were analyzed using grounded theory in the qualitative section and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in the quantitative section. Based on the results of the qualitative section of the research, moral, psychological, behavioral, and emotional characteristics were identified as the main components. The final results of the quantitative section of the research showed the goodness of fit was acceptable and approved the validity of the School Counselor’s Efficiency Measurement Scale in terms of moral, emotional, behavioral, and psychological characteristics with 31 items. Based on the findings of the present study, the School Counselor’s Efficiency Measurement Scale, for assessing this construct in Iranian samples, has sufficient reliability and validity

Keywords

References

Akbari, Z., Shariatmadar, A., Farahbakhsh, K., & Nazari, A. M. (2022). Developing a professional competency model for divorce counselors at The Crisis Intervention Centers. Counseling Culture and Psycotherapy, 13(49), 31-76. (Persian)
Aldemir, A., & İlhan, T. (2018). A study on the professional perceptions of school counselors. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 8(51), 53-80.
American School Counselor Association. (3rd. Ed.). (2012). The ASCA national        model: A framework for school counselor programs. Alexandria:AmericanSchool Counselor Association.
Aslani, K., Amanalahi, A., Saidi, Z., & Sardari Nasab, K. (2014). The Relationship Between Work Engagement, Self-Efficacy for Work/Family Conflict Management, Family and Work Support with Job Burnout among Administrative Office Personnel's in Ahvaz. Biannual Journal of Applied Counseling, 3(2), 79-92. (Persian)
Atari, B., & Shafiabadi, A. (2011). The effectiveness of teaching painting on decreasing the amount of anxiety in elementary school boys. Counseling Culture and Psycotherapy, 2(8), 47-64. (Persian)
Atli, A. (2020). Understanding the first year of novice school counsellors. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 30(1), 82-93.
Azimi, D., Shariatmadar, A., & Naeimi, E. (2018). The Effect of Hardiness Training on Academic Self_ Efficacy and Social Acceptance Students. Educational Psychology, 14(48), 87-103. (Persian)
Bartone, P. T., Valdes, J. J., & Sandvik, A. (2016). Psychological hardiness predicts cardiovascular health. Journal of Psychology, Health & Medicine, 21(6), 743-749.
Baştemur, Ş., & Uçar, S. (2022). Mixed Method Research on Effective Psychological Counselor Characteristics and Empowerment Needs of Turkish School Counselors. Participatory Educational Research, 9 (1), 1-21.
Bhat, C. S. (2008). Cyber bullying: Overview and strategies for school counsellors, guidance officers, and all school personnel. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 18, 53 –66.
Buchanan, D. K. (2011). A Comparative Analysis of School Counselors' and School Principals' Perceptions of School Counselors' Activities. Doctoral Dissertations, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage Publications.
Cohen, B., Foulis, S., Canino, M., Redmond, J., Zambraski, E., & Sharp, M. (2018). Psychological Hardiness & Success On the Occupational Physical Assessment Test in Army Combat Arms Recruits. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 50 (5),733-745.
Cooper, J. B., & Ng, K.-M. (2009). Trait emotional intelligence and perceived supervisory working alliance of counseling trainees and their supervisors in agency settings. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 31(3), 145–157.
Corey, G. (2012). Case approach to counseling and psychotherapy. Cengage learning.
Davis, T. (2005). School counseling: professional views and applications. Translated: Zahrakar & Kahloui (2015). Tehran: Virayesh Publishing. (Persian)
Değerli, F. I., & Odaci, H. (2020). Effect of an Emotional Intelligence Training Program Developed for Prospective Psychological Counselors on Psychological Counseling Skill Levels. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 38(3), 568-578.
Dezhban, R., Samavatian, H., & Arshadi, N. (2020). The Relationship between Neuroticism and Hardiness with Employee Well-Being: Mediating Role of Resiliency and Mindfulness and Moderating Role of Working Hours and Type of Shift Work. Industrial and Organizational Psychology Studies, 7(2), 259-282. (Persian)
Evers, O., Schröder-Pfeifer, P., Möller, H., & Taubner, S. (2021). The competence development of German psychotherapy trainees: A naturalistic, longitudinal and multidimensional outcome study. Psychotherapy research: journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, 1–15.
Farshad, M., & Fekri, K. (2019). Construction and validity of the dimensions of       development of conselors questionnaire. Career and Organizational Counseling, 11(38), 137-160. (Persian)
Flynn, S. V., & Hays, D. G. (2015). The Development and Validation of the Comprehensive Counseling Skills Rubric. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation, 6(2), 87-99.
Gallant, D. J., & Zhao, J. (2011). High School Students’ Perceptions of School Counseling Services: Awareness, Use, and Satisfaction. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation, 2(1), 87–100.
Glasheen, K., Campbell, M., & Shochet, I. (2013). Opportunities and Challenges: School Guidance Counsellors’ Perceptions of Counselling Students Online. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 23(2), 222-235.
Guest, K. E. (2000). Career development of school psychologists. Journal of School Psychology, 38, 237–257.
Haghshenas, S., & Abolmaali Alhoseini, K. (2022). Designing a conceptual model to explain the job success of school counselors. Counseling Culture and Psycotherapy, 13(49), 77-94. (Persian)
Hernández, T. J., & Seem, S. R. (2004). A safe school climate: A systemic approach and the school counselor. Professional School Counseling, 7, 256–262.
Jacobsen, K. E., & Bauman, S. (2007). Bullying in schools: School counselors’ responses to three types of bullying incidents. Professional School Counseling, 11, 1–9.
Karami M, Choupani M. (2018). Counselors' Perception of their Competency Skill Components:  A Qualitative Study. Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences, 7(3): 264-278. (Persian)
Kobasa, SC. (1979). Stressful life events, personality, and health: an inquiry into      hardiness. Journal of personality and social psychology, 37(1), 1-11.
Kiani, A., Navabi Nejad, Sh., Ahmadi Nodeh, Kh., & Anisi, J. (2014). Developing and Validation of psychologists’ professional ethics Questionnaire for Counselors. Journal of Counseling Research, 13(49), 103-127. (Persian)
Kline, R. B. (2015). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling. Guilford publications.
Latif, M., & Ranjbarian, R. (2020). Correlation between Job Attachment and Resiliency of Staffs with their Hardiness in Health Care Network. Journal of Health Promotion Management, 9(3), 22-33
Lawshe, C. H. (1975). A quantitative approach to content validity. Personel Psychology, 28, 563-575.
Malik, N., & Bjorkqvist, K. (2018). Occupational stress and mental and musculoskeletal health among university teachers. Eurasian Journal of Medical Investigation, 2(3), 139-147.
McConnell, K. R., Geesa, R. L., Mayes, R. D., & Elam, N. P. (2020). Improving       School Counselor Efficacy Through Principal-Counselor Collaboration: A Comprehensive Literature Review. Mid-Western Educational Researcher, 32 (2), 133-155.
Machorro, V. D., & Suck, A. T. (2014). Professional Identity of Counselors in Mexico: A Commentary. Professional Counselor, 4(1), 84-92.
Mitchell, M. E., Eby, L. T., & Ragins, B. R. (2015). My mentor, myself: Antecedents and outcomes of perceived similarity in mentoring relationships. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 89, 1-9.
Nasri, S., Heydari bafghi, R., & Jararh, J. (2017). Personality characteristics, irrational beliefs, and communication skills as predictors school counselor’s job performance. Biannual Journal of Applied Counseling, 7(1), 27-46. (Persian)
Özteke Kozan, H. (2020). A Qualitative Approach to School Counsellor Self-Efficacy: Sources and Enhancement Strategies. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 1-17.
Portman, T. A. (2009). Faces of the future: School counselors as cultural mediators. Journal of Counseling & Development, 87(1), 21-27.
Randelovic, D. J., Mitrovic, M. Z., & Todorovic, D. L. J. (2015). Psychological counselling center for students-need, desire, necessity. Collection of Papers of the faculty of Philosophy, 45(3), 143-166.
Suter, J., Kowalski, T., Anaya-Montes, M., Chalkley, M., Jacobs, R., & Rodriguez-Santana, I. (2020). The impact of moving to a 12h shift pattern on employee wellbeing: A qualitative study in an acute mental health setting. International journal of nursing studies, 112, 103-123.
Strasser, J, & Gruber, H. (2015). Learning processes in the professional development of mental health counselors: knowledge restructuring and illness script formation. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 20(2), 515-530.
Swank, J. M. (2014). Assessing Counseling Competencies: A Comparison of Supervisors’ Ratings and Student Supervisees’ Self Ratings. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation, 5(1), 17-27.
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (6th ed.). (2013). Using multivariate statistics.       Pearson Education.
Tahmasbi, A. (2020). The relationship between job burnout and mental health: Moderating role of psychological hardiness and organization-based self-esteem. Journal of Industrial and Organizational Psychology Studies, 7(1), 91-108. (Persian)
Woo, H. R. (2013). Instrument construction and initial validation: Professional Identity Scale in Counseling (PISC). Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, The University of Iowa. USA.
You, L. Y., Jia, X. M., Ding, Y. P., An, Q., & Li, B. (2021). A Study on the Competence Characteristics of Psychological Hotline Counselors During the Outbreak of COVID-19. Front. Psychol, 12, 566460.
Zohoor, V. (2022). The Relationship between Character strength and Employee Stress Coping Styles in a Coronary Crisis: The Mediating Role of Psychological Hardiness. Public Administration Perspaective, In press. (Persian)
Biannual Journal of Applied Counseling
Volume 12, Issue 2
January 2023
Pages 1-20

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 21 April 2022
  • Revise Date: 28 December 2022
  • Accept Date: 02 January 2023

Share

How to cite

Statistics