Promoting Counseling Students’ Advocacy Competencies through Service-Learning

This article describes an action research evaluation of a service-learning advocacy project implemented in doctoral-level and masters-level classes in a CACREP-accredited counseling program. The project involved students working together (a) to develop public policy guides related to the 2008 Presidential election and (b) to plan and implement an event designed to inform the public about policies relevant to sexuality, career issues, and mental health. The qualitative action research evaluation of the project focused on students’ perceptions of the project throughout its implementation. The results indicate that the project holds value for student learning and service to the community, although students may vary in their perceptions of the project. The authors conclude with future directions for research and counselor education

Promoting Counseling Students’ Advocacy Competencies through Service-Learning

This article describes an action research evaluation of a service-learning advocacy project implemented in doctoral-level and masters-level classes in a CACREP-accredited counseling program. The project involved students working together (a) to develop public policy guides related to the 2008 Presidential election and (b) to plan and implement an event designed to inform the public about policies relevant to sexuality, career issues, and mental health. The qualitative action research evaluation of the project focused on students’ perceptions of the project throughout its implementation. The results indicate that the project holds value for student learning and service to the community, although students may vary in their perceptions of the project. The authors conclude with future directions for research and counselor education

Testing the Efficacy of Self-Affirmation in Improving Student Performance in a Business Law Course

The authors explore the effects of a self-affirmation exercise on upper level college students in a business law class. Students from three business law sections were randomly assigned into one of two groups: one group was to write about a personally important value before exams and the other group was to write about a value not important to them but important to others. A third group emerged as some students chose to ignore the assignment. Contrary to expectations, students writing about others’ values performed better on most exams than did those who did not complete the exercise. It may be that writing about others’ values forces students into considering other people’s viewpoints, a finding consistent with Kohlberg’s theories of moral reasoning

Recognising Stakeholder Conflict and Encouraging Consensus of ‘Science-Based Management’ Approaches for Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)

Areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) encompass the seabed, subsoil and water column beyond coastal State jurisdiction and marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) is rich and varied. From providing sustenance and supporting livelihoods, to absorbing anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, ABNJ ecosystems are vital to the wellbeing of humankind. However, an enhanced understanding of BBNJ and its significance has not equated to its successful conservation and sustainable use. Negotiations for a new international legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ have scoped applicable principles for a future agreement, including the use of best available science and science-based approaches. But there remains a lack of convergence on what science-based approaches would look like, or how they would be operationalised. In order to negotiate and implement a meaningful BBNJ treaty that can meet conservation and sustainable use objectives, stakeholder perceptions must be identified, and areas of divergence must be overcome. Thisstudy uses Q-methodology to reveal and analyse the diversity of perceptions that exist amongst key stakeholders regarding what it means to operationalise science-based approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ. The Q-study features 25 stakeholder interviews and 30 Q-study participants revealing four different perceptions, each of which represent a different interpretation of what science-based management means in the context of BBNJ. Across these perceptions, there were areas of stakeholder consensus (e.g., regarding the benefits of integrative management, the application of precautionary approaches when data are insufficient, and the issuespertaining to the trustworthiness and credibility of science) and areas of stakeholder conflict (e.g., regarding the definition, function and authority of science within current and future BBNJ governance processes). Key implications of this study include the evidencing of fundamental tensions between differing perceptions of the authority of science and between conservation and sustainable use objectives, that may be fueling stakeholder conflict, and the subsequent proposal of integrative and highly participatory management approaches to operationalise science-based management of BBNJ

How big is the elephant in the room? Estimated and actual IT costs in an online behaviour change trial

The practical and methodological challenges inherent in online behaviour change studies are both novel and complex. We relate our experiences of estimating and managing information technology (IT) research and intervention costs in an ongoing internet trial in the hope that others will find this information useful

Counseling advocacy competencies in action: Lessons learned through the See the Triumph campaign

With the growing emphasis on social justice in the counseling and psychology professions, mental health professionals are increasingly called upon to engage in advocacy work. In this article, the authors describe their advocacy campaign, See the Triumph, which aims to end the stigma surrounding intimate partner violence. See the Triumph is based on research with survivors of intimate partner violence, whose stories inspired the development of the campaign. The article describes how the See the Triumph campaign reflects the American Counseling Association’s Advocacy Competencies, as well as the most significant lessons learned through the campaign

Dating Violence Among College Students: Key Issues for College Counselors

The authors present a review of literature examining dating violence among college students. They describe 6 key issues related to dating violence among college students that affect college counselors' work. These key issues relate to the incidence and prevalence of physical, sexual, and psychological violence in college students' dating relationships, risk factors and relationship dynamics associated with dating violence, and counseling issues—including related psychological symptoms and college students' reporting of dating violence to professionals

Methodological Review of Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Research

The authors present a methodological review of empirical program evaluation research in the area of intimate partner violence prevention. The authors adapted and utilized criterion-based rating forms to standardize the evaluation of the methodological strengths and weaknesses of each study. The findings indicate that the limited amount of empirical research related to intimate partner violence prevention demonstrates some consistent methodological strengths and limitations. The authors conclude with a presentation of recommendations for further research in the area of intimate partner violence prevention

Turkish mental health professionals’ experiences and perspectives toward family and sexual violence

The aim of this study was to learn about Turkish mental health professionals' professional experiences, perspectives, and training needs related to family and sexual violence. An additional goal of this study was to identify important areas in which further training and other resources for mental health professionals and client populations are needed. The researchers developed a new instrument, the Survey of Turkish Mental Health Professionals' Experiences and Perspectives toward Family and Sexual Violence,for this study. This article presents the results of a study involving 121 mental health professionals in Turkey. The mental health professionals invited to participate in this study included counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. For data analyses, descriptive statistics were conducted in order to calculate the frequencies and percentages of participants' responses. Results revealed that resources and availability of services to serve survivors of family and/or sexual violence in Turkey are available but insufficient to meet the needs of clients. The results further indicated a need for Turkish mental health professionals to receive more training on how to work with clients impacted by family and/or sexual violence. Implications for future research and practice are discussed