Do Counselor Education Programs Promote Wellness in Their Students?

Examining the psychometric properties of the sport psychology professional quality of life scale using item response theory

Recognizing the importance of the quality of the professional life for sport psychology professionals (SPPs), scholars have developed an initial conceptualization of Sport Psychology-Professional Quality of Life (SP-PQL), which encompass three main factors: the multifaceted nature of SP-PQL, the challenges hindering SP-PQL, and the strategies fostering SP-PQL. To assess this construct, Quartiroli and colleagues (2019) developed via a Delphi study a 42-item multi-dimensional measure. With the present study, we offer an initial examination of the psychometric characteristics of the SP-PQL measure. Cross-sectional survey data were gathered via an online survey from 614 sport psychology professionals (n = 527) and trainees (n = 79). The dataset was analyzed using a novel Item Response Theory approach. Specifically, using a multidimensional graded response model, we evaluated the overall performance of the three-factor SP-PQL measure and the item-response combinations. Our results showed inadequate model fit when evaluated using the M2 statistic and RMSEA, and we identified several poor functioning items as providing low discrimination or low information (n = 9), showing unintended loading (n = 1), or having poor threshold/response option utility (n = 2). After removing these items, the model was re-run to evaluate the impact of the alterations on model fit and total test information provided by the original and modified versions. The analysis suggested very little to no loss of information from the removal of items, and model fit statistics for the modified measure improved, albeit fit remained inadequate. Based on these results, we argue that further refinement of the SP-PQL measure is necessary for psychometric use in research, but that the measure may hold some utility for SPPs wanting to reflect on their PQL. Our analyses also demonstrate the value of using IRT approaches to evaluate the performance of individual items within psychometric measures.

Counseling students' experiences and interpretations of purpose development

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of counseling students regarding their development of sense of purpose in life and further seek their recommendations for fostering sense of purpose within educational settings. In this study, we have used pragmatism as our research paradigm and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as our data analysis approach to gain deeper insights into the phenomenon of purpose development and further use the findings of this study to suggest specific purpose-strengthening educational approaches. Based on the interpretative phenomenological analysis, we identified five themes that revealed purpose development as a non-linear process that involves exploring, engaging with, reflecting upon, articulating, and actualizing one's purpose, and is influenced by both internal and external factors. In light of these findings, we discussed implications for counselor education programs that aspire to cultivate counseling students' sense of purpose in life as an important dimension for their personal wellness, which research has shown could further promote their professional development and career success.

Self-Compassion and Psychological Well-Being Among Malaysian Counselors: The Mediating Role of Resilience

This study investigated the associations between self-compassion, resilience, and psychological well-being among 408 counselors in Malaysia. Data were collected by using a web-based survey. PLS-SEM analyses revealed that self-compassion was positively related to counselors’ resilience and psychological well-being, whereas resilience was positively related to counselors’ psychological well-being. Results also showed that resilience significantly mediated the associations between self-compassion and psychological well-being among counselors. The hypothesized model explained the substantial influences of self-compassion and resilience on counselors’ psychological well-being. This study highlighted the two important human factors, i.e., self-compassion and resilience, with implications for integrating these two influential constructs in the development of counselors’ psychological well-being.

The Multifaceted Meaning of Sport Psychology Professional Quality of Life

Experienced and senior sport psychology practitioners achieved longevity in effective professional practice by embracing sustainable approaches to their profession, assumed to be influenced by their positive professional quality of life. The aim of this study was to gain insight into how these practitioners defined and attended to their profession-specific quality of life. Utilizing Consensual Qualitative Research method, researchers examined the perceptions and meanings that 20 internationally located practitioners attributed to their Sport Psychology-Professional Quality of Life (SP-PQL). Findings revealed a view of SP-PQL that encompassed five domains: (a) the lived experience of SP-PQL, (b) the nature of the SP profession, (c) SP-PQL as an ongoing journey, (d) deliberate engagement in the SP profession, and (e) the interconnection between the personal and the professional. These practitioners recognized the importance of a positive SP-PQL as a foundation for a positive, effective, and long-lasting career in the field.

Dear Mental Health Practitioners, Take Care of Yourselves: a Literature Review on Self-Care

Stress, burnout, and professional impairment are prevalent among mental health professionals and can have a negative impact on their clinical work, whilst engagement in self-care can help promote therapist well-being. This literature review examines the role of self-care in the promotion of well-being among mental health practitioners. Specifically, empirical research is presented in relation to specific domains of self-care practice, including awareness, balance, flexibility, physical health, social support, and spirituality. Findings from this review underscore the importance of taking a proactive approach to self-care and, in particular, integrating self-care directly into clinical training programs and into the quality assurance processes of professional organizations within the field of mental health.

Emotional Intelligence and the Counselor: Examining the Relationship of Trait Emotional Intelligence to Counselor Burnout

Given the intimate and emotional nature of counseling, counselors are often highly susceptible to counselor burnout. Scholars have reported on how important it is for counselors to find strategies that mitigate stressful scenarios and prevent burnout. Emotional intelligence could be a preventative factor. This article describes a correlational investigation that examined the relationship of practicing mental health and marriage and family counselors' (N = 539) emotional intelligence to their degree of burnout. The results from this study indicate that participants' level of emotional intelligence negatively predicted their level of burnout (r = −.62, p < .001; 38% of the variance explained). This article provides a description of our findings, suggestions for future research, and implications for counselors.

Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health: Stress and Symptom Reporting Pathways

This study examines the pathways through which mood perception affects perceived stress and symptom reporting among undergraduate students. It examines depression, anxiety, positive affect, and negative affect as mediators between a) emotional intelligence (EI) and b) perceived stress and symptom reporting. Results indicated that on the EI measure used in this study, the Trait Meta-mood Scale (TMMS) subscales, Attention was not related to perceived stress or symptom reporting. Mood Repair and Clarity were significantly and inversely related to perceived stress and symptom reporting. Anxiety and depression were the primary mediators in these relationships.