ISSN : 1229-0688
This study explored the experiences of family members of terminal cancer patients hospitalized in hospice wards. Many family caregivers in such situations are enveloped by a fear of death and experience high rates of physical, psychosocial, and economic burden, as well as lower quality of life. Because of those factors they can become ‘hidden patients.’ Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 15 family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer hospitalized in hospice wards. The data were analyzed using Van-Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological approach. The findings were organized into 124 central meanings, 45 themes, and 15 essential themes and rearranged into Van-Manen's four fundamental existentials of lived body, lived space, lived time, and lived human relation. Based on these findings, implications for supporting the family members of terminal cancer patients in hospice care are discussed.
Multiculturalism is currently a topic of interest in counseling psychology in South Korea. However, disabilities and chronic illnesses have been relatively marginalized, having traditionally been addressed within the medical model. The literature suggests that they should be regarded as multicultural minorities, since marginalization and the need for special considerations are no different from what other multicultural minorities have experienced. In this study, conceptual models and practical intervention strategies are presented as a way to effectively respond to the mental health needs of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses that should be considered when undertaking the process of moving from the medical model to social and cultural models. With the guidance of the conceptual models, evidence-based practical interventions can assist the field in improving multicultural counseling competencies for those serving clients with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
The purpose of this study was to analyze trends in grounded theory research in the field of counseling, published in Korean and U.S. journals from 2000 - 2018. The authors analyzed 133 articles, published in The Korean Journal of Counseling, The Korean Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Journal of Counseling and Development, Journal of Counseling Psychology, and The Counseling Psychologist. The results indicated that the use of grounded theory in Korean and U.S. studies has been on an upward trend since 2013, with KJC (59 articles, 74%) and JCP (23 articles, 42.6%) at the forefront. ‘Personality characteristics and adaptation’ was the most common research subject, with ‘counselor’ the most common participant, and ‘in-depth interview’ the most common data collection method. Korean studies primarily used the approach of Strauss & Corbin, while U.S. research used diverse approaches. Finally, Korean articles primarily used a paradigm model, while U.S. studies used emergent theory.
This study examined the experiences of soldiers affected by sexual violence in the military. Data were collected through one-on-one, in-depth interviews with ten discharged soldiers who had experienced sexual violence in the military, and analyzed using the consensual qualitative analysis method. Interviews were conducted through semi-structured questions focusing on sexual violence-related difficulties, emotions and relationships experienced in the military, emotions and relationships experienced after discharge, efforts to recover from trauma, and the adaptation process. Four domains were derived, including ‘atmosphere where it is difficult to report sexual violence,’ ‘aspects of sexual violence,’ ‘feelings and interpersonal relationships after sexual violence,’ and ‘efforts and adaptation process for recovery from trauma,’ which were classified into 10 categories and 38 subcategories. Based on the results of this study, implications for the experience of sexual violence in the military, including prevention and mitigation measures, are discussed.
This study examined which aspects of counseling experiences North Korean defectors and South Korean counselors perceived as helpful and unhelpful using concept mapping. Eight clients and counselors participated, respectively, and interviews were conducted with focus questions for both groups. The study identified 53 helpful events and 24 unhelpful events from the experiences of clients; and 91 helpful events and 32 unhelpful events from the experiences of counselors. The results of multi-dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis yielded four clusters of helpful and unhelpful events, each on two dimensions for clients; and six clusters of helpful events and four clusters of unhelpful events, each on two dimensions for counselors. A review of the similarities and differences of the experiences and perceptions of North Korean defectors and South Korean counselors is presented, followed by a discussion of limitations and implications.
This study examined whether there were differences in counselors’ evaluations of clients and countertransference responses based on counselors’ social class biases and clients’ social class backgrounds. Two intake forms for mock clients with distinct backgrounds were presented to 382 counselors, whose evaluations of the mock clients and countertransference responses were analyzed. The results indicated that counselors’ evaluations and countertransference responses differed significantly based on the level of bias. Counselors with high bias evaluated clients less favorably and experienced more ‘dominant’ and ‘hostile’ countertransference responses. However, counselors’ evaluations did not differ significantly based on client background. There was no significant interaction effect between counselors’ bias and clients’ background. An interaction effect was found for the ‘dominance’ countertransference response. Counselors with high levels of bias appeared to assume that middle-class clients were more dominant than lower class clients, as compared to counselors with low levels of bias. Limitations and implications are discussed.
The purpose of this study was to propose a substantial theory describing the process of adversity coping in male retirees. For this purpose, nine retired men in their 60s who had experienced economic problems after retirement participated in in-depth interviews. Using a grounded theory approach, 116 concepts, 51 subcategories, and 23 categories were derived from open coding. The paradigm model of the central phenomenon was revealed as ‘unable to break out.’ The core category was ‘accept and live with realistic yet unavoidable conditions.’ Coping procedures for economic difficulty in the post-retirement chronologically appeared to expand in six stages: ‘obstruction,’ ‘crouching,’ ‘dependency on external resources,’ ‘seeking internal change,’ ‘adapting to reality,’ and ‘limited self-sufficiency.’ Future research directions are proposed based on the results of the present study.
The psychological counseling system in South Korea has struggled to keep up with the needs of the increasing number of individuals with disabilities seeking counseling services. Because disability can be regarded as a culture, it may be appropriate to approach counseling for people with disabilities from a multicultural perspective. Multicultural disability counseling considers individual and identity experiences, and social and political contexts. This study aimed to examine the awareness, knowledge, skills and attitudes of counselors regarding people with disabilities from a multicultural perspective. Guided by similar studies in foreign countries, the authors examined counseling ethics, cultural competence, cultural humility, and practical counseling guidelines for multicultural disability counseling. The results of this study can serve as the basis for improving counselor education and training to increase the effectiveness of counselors in South Korea working with clients with disabilities by using a multicultural perspective.
The aim of the study was to propose a curriculum for multicultural and social justice (MSJ) training for Korean counselors in master’s degree programs. The training model adapted for Korean culture was based on the scientist-practitioner-advocate model for doctoral training in counseling psychology at the University of Tennessee. This study delineated the course content areas and structure. First, the MSJ course was designed to increase awareness of privilege and oppression in Korean society and provide the knowledge and theoretical foundations that underpin those phenomena. Second, intergroup dialogue was incorporated to develop skills related to facilitating dialogue and managing challenging relationships. Third, the social justice practicum course was designed to require trainees to select a specific agency or marginalized community and develop an intervention to address MSJ needs on an institutional level. Practical challenges to implementation and the effectiveness of the curriculum are discussed.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the ethical dilemma experiences of youth counselors in public institutions. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine youth counselors working in the public counseling centers. Interview data were analyzed using Giorgi's method of phenomenological study to derive 29 themes and 8 core meanings. The 8 core meanings were ‘being a helpless counselor within an organization's system,’ ‘facing sites where peer counselors shake counseling ethics,’ ‘counselor's beliefs being damaged in the reality that counseling ethics are overlooked,’ ‘being thrown out without protection,’ ‘walking a tightrope between counseling ethics and institution demands,’ ‘standing on the side of clients with compassion, but feeling insecurity,’ ‘carrying out self-help measures to ensure safety,’ and ‘seeking stability with by embracing ethical dilemmas and developing expertise.’ Practical interventions to minimize ethical dilemmas for youth counselors in public institutions are presented, followed by implications and suggestions for future research.
This study examined the mediating effect of hopelessness and the moderating effects of self-compassion and gender on the relationship between perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and suicidal ideation. Participants were 632 college students who completed questionnaires assessing perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and self-compassion. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0. Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness were positively correlated with hopelessness and suicidal thoughts, while self-compassion was negatively correlated with the other variables. The fit of the study model was good. Perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and hopelessness had a significant direct effect on suicidal ideation. Thwarted belongingness showed a significant indirect effect on suicidal ideation through hopelessness, while perceived burdensomeness had no indirect effect. The moderating effects of self-compassion and gender were partially confirmed. Implications and directions for future research are presented.
The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of stress coping strategies (problem-solving, social support seeking, avoidance) on the relationship between self-construal (subjective, objective) and subjective well-being (SWB). Participants were 235 (83 males, 147 females) Korean undergraduates administered measures including a survey of the main factors, the K-CSI, SWLS, ITAS and Cultural Self-construal Scale. The bootstrapping method was used to test for mediation effects. The results indicated that the relationship between subjective self-construal and SWB was fully mediated by social support seeking only. Additionally, avoidance coping fully mediated the relationship between objective self-construal and SWB. The results of this study suggest that coping strategies are affected by personal cultural factors, and that their relationship to SWB should be studied in the stress coping context. Implications for counseling, limitations, and recommendations for future research are presented.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effects of disconnection and rejection scheme on the effects of childhood trauma and dispositional optimism on interpersonal problems. Participants were 592 college students in Gyeonggi province who were surveyed on childhood trauma, dispositional optimism, interpersonal problems, disconnection and rejection scheme. Based on existing research and theory, the investigators created two structural models. In one model childhood trauma and dispositional optimism indirectly affected interpersonal relationships through disconnection and rejection scheme. In the other model childhood trauma and dispositional optimism indirectly influenced interpersonal problems through disconnection and rejection scheme, and through disconnection and rejection scheme. The results indicated that childhood trauma did not directly affect interpersonal problems, but affected them indirectly through disconnection and rejection scheme. On the other hand, dispositional optimism directly affected interpersonal problems and also affected them indirectly through disconnection and rejection scheme.
This study examined the moderated mediation effect of emotional support on the influence of fear of negative/positive evaluation and self-concealment on social anxiety in college students. Participants were 422 college students in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Incheon who completed an online survey. The results indicated that fear of negative and positive evaluation had significant positive correlations with self-concealment and social anxiety. Self-concealment had a significant positive correlation with social anxiety. However, emotional support showed significant negative correlations with fear of negative/positive evaluation, self-concealment, and social anxiety. Additionally, self-concealment partially mediated the relationship between fear of negative/positive evaluation and social anxiety. Whereas, emotional support moderated the relationship between fear of positive evaluation and self-concealment. Finally, the indirect effect of fear of positive evaluation through self-concealment on social anxiety was moderated by emotional support. Based on these results, implications and limitations of the study are presented.
This study applied the Psychology of Working Theory (PWT) and Self-Determine Theory (SDT) to Korean university students. Through an integrated model, the authors attempted to verify the relationship between socially-prescribed perfectionism and career satisfaction. In this mediated moderation model, social support moderated the relationship between socially-prescribed perfectionism and career satisfaction, and this moderating effect was mediated by work volition. Participants included 253 undergraduates who completed a survey. The results indicated that work volition, career satisfaction, and social support were positively correlated with each other, and negatively correlated with perfectionism. Additionally, the moderation effect of social support between perfectionism and career satisfaction was confirmed, and the moderation effect of social support was significant in the relationship between perfectionism and work volition. Finally, work volition mediated perfectionism and career satisfaction, and social support moderated the relationship between perfectionism and work volition. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
The purpose of this study was to explore heterosexual men and women's perceptions of gay men using the concept-mapping method. Seventeen heterosexual men and women were interviewed and a total of 90 statements were extracted. After conducting a multidimensional scaling analysis and cluster analysis with the statements, participants’ perceptions were classified into five categories along two dimensions. The two dimensions were ‘negative-positive,’ and ‘evaluative-sympathetic.’ The five categories, in order of importance, were ‘vulnerable psychosocial characteristics,’ ‘socially unacceptable,’ ‘positive characteristics,’ ‘promiscuous behavior,’ and ‘gender and sex-related characteristics.’ This research investigated the structural characteristics and underlying dimensions of the perceptions of adult heterosexuals about gay men, which has implications for educating counselors and raising awareness of potential biases.
This study aimed to estimate the mean effect size of the relation between meaning in life and its related variables, and the effect of selected moderators on these relations. The results of this meta-analysis are as follows. Among the four groups of variables related to meaning in life, the self-related-positive group had the largest mean effect size, followed by the spirituality and sense of community-positive, interpersonal relationship-positive, and self-related-negative variable groups. The individual variables with large effect sizes were self-efficacy, successful aging, self-esteem, hope, self-identity, a sense of calling, depression and spirituality. Family support, special support, peer support, social support, volunteering, and self-transcendent values also had effect sizes approaching the large level. According to the moderator effect analysis, scales and ages in some variable groups showed moderating effects. Based on these findings, implications for counseling and recommendations for future research are presented.
The purpose of the current study was to investigate the difference in ex-offenders’ psychological symptoms (violent trauma in childhood, resilience, active coping strategy, and passive coping strategy) by recidivism and housing service type (housing or accommodation service). A multiple indicator/multiple cause (MIMIC) approach was applied to examine difference among these psychological symptoms in a sample of 820 ex-offenders who had been receiving services from the Korea Rehabilitation Agency. Results showed that the recidivism group had higher scores in violent trauma in childhood, but lower scores in resilience and in active coping strategies. In addition, the recidivism-accommodation service group had higher violent trauma in childhood and lower resilience, active coping strategy, and passive coping strategy than the recidivism-housing service group. The non-recidivism-accommodation service group also had higher violent trauma in childhood and lower resilience and active coping strategies than the non-recidivism-housing service group. Implications and limitations of this study are discussed.
The purpose of this study was to draw comprehensive conclusions about the relationship between the quality of life of married immigrant women and related variables. For this purpose, five protective factors (empowerment, self-efficacy, self-esteem, social participation, and social support) and two risk factors (acculturative stress, and depression) were chosen from 27 masters’ theses, doctoral dissertations and journal articles. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that the effect sizes of the protective factors were in the medium range, with self-esteem being the largest, followed by empowerment, social support, self-efficacy, and social participation. Similarly, the effect sizes of the risk factors were medium, with the effect sizes of depression and acculturative stress being large and small, respectively. Residential area and language proficiency had moderating effects on the relationship between quality of life and risk factors. Implications and recommendations for future research in light of multicultural counseling are discussed.
The purpose of this study was to verify the results of existing studies classifying perfectionism clusters using the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R), and to examine the addition of Socially Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP) as a cluster variable to identify clusters based on the source of the high standards. Participants were 385 university students. As a result of classifying clusters using the APS-R, Adaptive Perfectionism (AP), Maladaptive Perfectionism (MP), Non-Perfectionism (NP), and Negative Self-evaluation (NS) were derived. AP/NP was associated with higher life satisfaction and self-esteem, and lower depression and anxiety than MP/NS. By adding the SPP as a cluster variable, AP, MPⅠ, MPⅡ, NP, and NS were derived. MP was subdivided into MPⅠ and MPⅡ according to the level of SPP, with MPⅠ showing more negative psychological characteristics than MPⅡ. However, NS showed no significant difference in psychological characteristics from MPⅡ. The implications of the findings are discussed.
As the need for psychological counseling services has increased in South Korea, psychological counseling centers have proliferated. As such, concerns about unprofessionalism and potential ethical problems have also increased. This manuscript examined and analyzed the limitations of current statues for psychological counseling in South Korea. Additionally, statutes for psychological counseling in the United States, Germany, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Japan were compared and analyzed to derive information that could help with the enactment of statutes in South Korea. It was determined that models from smaller countries with unified laws such as Germany, Taiwan, and Japan would provide the best road-map for statute implementation in South Korea. Finally, the author discusses the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement by individuals in the psychological counseling field as well as standardization of education and training.
