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University Counseling Center Practices Regarding Guidance on the Health Effects of Religious/Spiritual Involvement

Mrdjenovich, Adam Joel

Abstract Details

2009, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Health Education.

This study assessed the perceptions and practices of mental health professionals at university counseling centers regarding their provision of guidance on the health effects of religious/ spiritual involvement. The membership of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors was used to identify a national cross-section of university counseling centers. One licensed psychologist, professional counselor, or social worker from each counseling center was selected to survey (N = 623). A valid and reliable survey instrument was developed, and a three-wave postal mailing procedure was used to maximize the return rate.

A total of 306 university counseling professionals (58%) responded. They agreed that religious/spiritual involvement has a positive influence on the health and well-being of college students (77%), but were unsure or disagreed (66%) that university counseling professionals should advise clients as such. Approximately one-third (31%) had never seriously thought about doing so. The respondents were predominantly (52%) "unsure" that guidance on the health effects of religious/spiritual involvement would result in lower health risks; however, nearly half (48%) indicated that such guidance would promote recovery among their clients. Although slightly more than half (54%) of the responding university counseling professionals discussed the salutary influence of religiosity/ spirituality with the majority of their clients (e.g., provides a means of coping with stress, offers social support, contributes to a sense of well-being), relatively few (21%) discussed the physical health effects of religious/spiritual involvement. The most frequently endorsed perceived barrier was that discussions of religiosity/spirituality and health "should occur only with clients who indicate that religion/spirituality is important to them" (67%). A plurality (35%) of the respondents had received no formal training in this area. Respondents who had received information/training from at least one source, as well as those who indicated higher levels of personal religiosity/spirituality, were significantly more likely to be in the action or maintenance stage and to report higher efficacy expectations and more positive outcome expectations regarding the provision of guidance on the health effects of religious/spiritual involvement. Implications and recommendations for clinical training, university counseling centers, and future research are discussed.

Joseph Dake, Ph.D., MPH (Committee Chair)
James Price, Ph.D., MPH (Committee Member)
Timothy Jordan, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jeanne Funk-Brockmyer, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member)
342 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mrdjenovich, A. J. (2009). University Counseling Center Practices Regarding Guidance on the Health Effects of Religious/Spiritual Involvement [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1256083041

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mrdjenovich, Adam. University Counseling Center Practices Regarding Guidance on the Health Effects of Religious/Spiritual Involvement. 2009. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1256083041.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mrdjenovich, Adam. "University Counseling Center Practices Regarding Guidance on the Health Effects of Religious/Spiritual Involvement." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1256083041

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)