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The effect of jyoti meditation on student counselor emotional intelligence, stress, and daily spiritual experiences
Title
The effect of jyoti meditation on student counselor emotional intelligence, stress, and daily spiritual experiences.
Creator
Gutierrez, Daniel, Young, Mark, Robinson, Edward, Conley, Abigail, Hagedorn, William, Ritz, Louis, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Previous research has found meditation to be effective in reducing practitioner stress, improving emotional functioning, and increasing pro-social emotions, such as empathy and compassion. In addition, research examining the effects of meditation on student counselors has shown that it increases counselor self-efficacy, reduces distress, and increases cognitive empathy. Therefore, it behooves counselor educators to discover methods of integrating meditation into counselor training. The...
Show morePrevious research has found meditation to be effective in reducing practitioner stress, improving emotional functioning, and increasing pro-social emotions, such as empathy and compassion. In addition, research examining the effects of meditation on student counselors has shown that it increases counselor self-efficacy, reduces distress, and increases cognitive empathy. Therefore, it behooves counselor educators to discover methods of integrating meditation into counselor training. The meditation practice investigated in the current study is new to the counseling and psychology literature. The majority of the current research has examined transcendental and mindfulness-based practices. However, recent research has shown that spirituality has the ability to potentiate meditation. Jyoti mediation (JM), the practice used in this study, is a spiritually based practice used for spiritual and personal growth for over 500 years. This study examined whether student counselors, after participating in a JM group, would have a significantly different level of emotional intelligence, stress and daily spiritual experiences than a comparison group who received a psycho-educational curriculum. Moreover, I investigated if the frequency of meditation related to the treatment outcomes. I conducted a six week randomized controlled trial where participants (n = 60) completed self-report assessments on the first, third and sixth week of the intervention. In addition, the participants in the meditation condition were asked to complete a daily journal reporting their experiences with the meditation treatment and their frequency of practice. Participants were required to meditate once a week in the group, and requested to meditate at least ten additional minutes each day. In order to analyze the data, I conducted a repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (RM-MANOVA). The RM-MANOVA revealed no significant difference between the two groups. However, because the range of time spent meditating was so wide, I conducted a second RM-MANOVA using only participants that meditated in group and an additional 60 minutes over the six weeks. The second RM-MANOVA approached significance in the main effects (p = .06); and revealed a significant univariate between group effect for stress. Likewise, I conducted two Pearson moment correlations to investigate the relationship between the study outcomes and meditation frequency. The first correlation revealed no significant relationship between meditation frequency and any of the independent. However, the second correlational analysis revealed a significant relationship between stress and meditation frequency. Also, both correlational analyses revealed a significant relationship between stress and emotional intelligence. In order to gain a better understanding of how the independent variables effected stress over time, I conducted a growth curve analysis (GCA). I used PROC Mixed in SAS and nested the measurement points into each individual. The GCA revealed significant non-trivial variance between individuals at initial status. In addition, the GCA revealed that emotional intelligence accounted for 27% of that variance, and when controlling for emotional intelligence there is a significant interaction between time and group. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
CFE0005177, ucf:50666
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005177
The Contribution of Practicing School Counselors' Level of Altruism to their Degree of Burnout
Title
The Contribution of Practicing School Counselors' Level of Altruism to their Degree of Burnout.
Creator
Limberg, Dorothy, Robinson, Edward, Lambie, Glenn, Barden, Sejal, Conley, Abigail, Curry, Jennifer, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The present study investigated the directional relationship between practicing school counselors' level of altruism to their degree of burnout. Specifically, this investigation tested the hypothesized directional relationship that practicing school counselors scoring at higher levels of altruism would have lower levels of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment). In addition, the investigation examined the relationship between the practicing school counselors...
Show moreThe present study investigated the directional relationship between practicing school counselors' level of altruism to their degree of burnout. Specifically, this investigation tested the hypothesized directional relationship that practicing school counselors scoring at higher levels of altruism would have lower levels of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment). In addition, the investigation examined the relationship between the practicing school counselors' levels altruism and burnout and their reported demographic information (e.g., age, school counseling level, self-reported levels of wellness). A thorough review of the literature is presented with supporting empirical research for each construct (altruism and burnout). A descriptive, correlational research design (Frankel et al., 2012) was employed to investigate the research hypothesis and exploratory questions. The research hypothesis was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). More specifically, multiple regression, path analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis (Ullman, 2007) were conducted. The exploratory research questions were examined using: descriptive statistics, Spearman's rho correlations, multiple regressions, Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann Whitney U test (Pallant, 2010). The results are reviewed and compared to existing research in the field. Furthermore, limitations of the current study are explained, and recommendations for future research are provided. Finally, implications of the study regarding professional school counseling and counselor education are discussed. The overall sample for this study is 437 practicing school counselors (ASCA members, n = 344; non-ASCA members, n = 93). The results of the study support that school counselors with higher levels of altruism have lower levels of burnout. The findings of this study show two dimensions of altruistic motivation: (1) positive future expectations and (2) self-efficacy contribute significantly to all dimensions of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment). Additionally, a significant relationship was found between altruism and burnout and self-reported wellness.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0004710, ucf:49845
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004710
Examining the Influences of the Bottoming Out Experience and the Turning Point on the Early Recovery Process from Substance Dependence Using Structural Equation Modeling
Title
Examining the Influences of the Bottoming Out Experience and the Turning Point on the Early Recovery Process from Substance Dependence Using Structural Equation Modeling.
Creator
Depue, Mary, Hagedorn, William, Lambie, Glenn, Young, Mark, Conley, Abigail, Finch, Andrew, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Considering the prevalence of addiction issues within the U.S., this study focused on the topic of recovery from drug and alcohol dependence in order to add to current literature. Prevention and recovery services are two of the most common ways of combating the addiction issue, and counselors are at the forefront of both movements. The bottoming out experience (BOE) and the turning point (TTP) are two common lay terms of factors within changing addictive behaviors, yet the connection of these...
Show moreConsidering the prevalence of addiction issues within the U.S., this study focused on the topic of recovery from drug and alcohol dependence in order to add to current literature. Prevention and recovery services are two of the most common ways of combating the addiction issue, and counselors are at the forefront of both movements. The bottoming out experience (BOE) and the turning point (TTP) are two common lay terms of factors within changing addictive behaviors, yet the connection of these constructs to recovery remains unstudied and unknown. The current study tested a model that levels of the BOE and the TTP are predictive of early recovery (ER).The data from this study was obtained from a national dataset previously collected from 230 grant-funded addiction treatment centers that utilize the Global Assessment of Individual Needs (GAIN) assessment instrument. A review of the literature gaps, coupled with available data, influenced decisions on research design and statistical analysis procedures. As clear definitions of the BOE, TTP, and ER have not been discovered through research, a descriptive, correlational research design was chosen in order to understand not only what constitutes a BOE, TTP, and ER, but also to discover the relationships between the BOE, TTP, and ER in their natural state. The purpose of correlational studies is to investigate the relationship between two or more variables without researcher manipulation and such designs are common in the counseling and counselor education research field (Heppner, et al., 2008). Because correlational research is exploratory in nature, structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to understand the components of each construct and was used to test the hypothesis of the relationships between the BOE, TTP and ER. Although SEM is a confirmatory technique, it is frequently used in an exploratory manner because it combines elements of confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regressions and allows for various possibilities of the relationships between constructs and variables (Schrieber, et al., 2006). The literature on ER, BOE, and TTP provides enough evidence to test a theoretical model, which is the purpose of SEM. The hypothesized model assessed data at intake for the BOE, TTP and ER. Once constructs were delineated through measurement models/CFA, SEM path analysis was used to understand how the constructs related to one another. The first three hypotheses were rejected in the study, and measurement model modifications were conducted, which yielded good fit indices. Results from Hypothesis One indicated that hypothesized factors did not load on the BOE, and instead, the BOE at the intake level was a measurement of mental health severity. Results from Hypothesis Two indicated that hypothesized factors did not load on TTP; however, TTP did resulting factor structure created through model modification contained factors of awareness, motivation, and support. Results from Hypothesis Three also indicated that hypothesized indicators did not load into ER; however the resulting factor structure contained indicators of abstinence and environmental support. Lastly, Hypothesis Four yielded three resulting models, all of which had good fit indices. Therefore, hypothesis four was accepted. It is noteworthy that direct effects were not all significant, and the p value in all final models was significant. There was not a significant relationship between the BOE and ER at the intake level; however, there was a significant relationship between the BOE and TTP, as well as TTP and ER at the intake level. The direct effects between the BOE and ER may have had a role in the significant p values, as well as the large sample size. Within the three resulting models, the BOE had significant relationships with TTP, spiritual support, and motivation. Both spiritual support and motivation also had significant relationships with ER. Therefore, the results from the current study support that there are existing relationships between the BOE and TTP; however, the relationship between the BOE and ER at the intake level was not significant.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0004672, ucf:49862
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004672
The Influence of Stigma on Quality of Life and Relationship Satisfaction for Prostate Cancer Survivors and Their Partners
Title
The Influence of Stigma on Quality of Life and Relationship Satisfaction for Prostate Cancer Survivors and Their Partners.
Creator
Wood, Andrew, Barden, Sejal, Daire, Andrew, Lambie, Glenn, Munyon, Matthew, Conley, Abigail, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between stigma, quality of life (QoL), and relationships satisfaction for prostate cancer (PCa) survivors and their intimate and/or romantic partners. The investigator tested a theoretical model that stigma (as measured by the Social Impact Scale [SIS; Fife (&) Wright, 2000]) influenced QoL (as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (-) Prostate [FACT-P; Esper et al., 1997] and the Functional Assessment of Cancer...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between stigma, quality of life (QoL), and relationships satisfaction for prostate cancer (PCa) survivors and their intimate and/or romantic partners. The investigator tested a theoretical model that stigma (as measured by the Social Impact Scale [SIS; Fife (&) Wright, 2000]) influenced QoL (as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (-) Prostate [FACT-P; Esper et al., 1997] and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (-) General Population [FACT-GP; Cella et al., 1993]) and relationship satisfaction (as measured by the Couples Satisfaction Index [CSI; Funk (&) Rogge, 2007]) for both PCa survivors and their partners (N = 72 couples). The investigator hypothesized that stigma would have a negative influence on both QoL and relationship satisfaction. Further, exploratory research questions pertained to the influence of race on stigma, QoL, and relationship satisfaction, as well as examining difference in experiences of stigma based on demographic variables (e.g., age and income).The results of the structural equation model analyses identified that stigma negatively influenced QoL (R2 = .84, p (<) .05) and relationship satisfaction (R2 = .19, p (<) .05) for both PCa survivors and their partners. Race did not have statistically significant (p (>) .05) relationships with stigma, QoL, or relationship satisfaction and stigma was not found to be statistically different (p (>) .05) based on demographic variables. Implications of the results of the study include (a) practical implications for PCa survivors and their partners; (b) strategies for effective individual, group, and couples-based counseling; (c) need for counselor educators to prepare counselors to work with medically ill populations and cancer survivors; (d) PCa stigma instrument development; and (e) the necessity to examine research with couples in a dyadic fashion.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFE0005742, ucf:50112
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005742
The Contribution of School Counselors' Self-Efficacy and Professional Quality of Life to their Programmatic Service Delivery
Title
The Contribution of School Counselors' Self-Efficacy and Professional Quality of Life to their Programmatic Service Delivery.
Creator
Mullen, Patrick, Lambie, Glenn, Robinson, Edward, Van Horn, Stacy, Conley, Abigail, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the directional relationship between practicing school counselors' level of professional quality of life and self-efficacy to their programmatic service delivery activities. This investigation tested the theoretical model that practicing school counselors' level of professional quality of life (as measured by the Professional Quality of Life Scale [ProQOLs; Stamm, 2010]) and their self-efficacy (as measured by the School Counselor Self-Efficacy...
Show moreThe purpose of this investigation was to examine the directional relationship between practicing school counselors' level of professional quality of life and self-efficacy to their programmatic service delivery activities. This investigation tested the theoretical model that practicing school counselors' level of professional quality of life (as measured by the Professional Quality of Life Scale [ProQOLs; Stamm, 2010]) and their self-efficacy (as measured by the School Counselor Self-Efficacy Scale [SCSEs; Bodenhorn (&) Skaggs, 2005]) contributes to their service delivery activity (as measured by the School Counselor Activity Rating Scale [SCARS; Scarborough, 2005]). Specifically, this study examined the hypothesized directional relationship that school counselors who have higher ProQOL scores (e.g., less burnout and compassion fatigue and higher compassion satisfaction) and higher self-efficacy scores (e.g., more confident about counseling skills) have increased levels of programmatic service delivery facilitation (e.g., they provide high levels of school counseling activities for students and stakeholders). In addition, this investigation examined the relationship between practicing school counselors' demographic factors and the constructs of professional quality of life, self-efficacy, and programmatic service delivery. Furthermore, the investigation examined the difference in response rate and school counselors' total mean score (as measured by the ProQOLs, SCSEs, and SCARS) based upon the: (a) sampling method (e.g., email web-based, paper-pencil mail-out survey, face-to-face survey administration), (b) token incentive type (e.g., monetary [$1.00, $2.00, or no incentive] or non-monetary [$1.00 donation to the American Red Cross or no donation]), and (c) sampling population (e.g., ASCA dataset or Common Core Dataset)?A review of the literature is presented, which provides conceptual theory and empirical research to support the constructs and their hypothesized relationship. A descriptive, correlational research design was employed to investigate the research hypothesis and exploratory research questions. The data was collected through diverse survey methodologies (e.g., email web-based, paper-pencil mail-out survey, face-to-face survey administration). The research hypothesis was tested through the utilization of structural equation modeling (SEM). In addition, multiple linear regression, spearmen rho correlation, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruscal-Wallis H tests, and Chi Square tests of independence were used to analyze the data for the exploratory questions. The results of the investigation are presented and compared to current literature and prior research. Additionally, the limitations of the study are discussed and recommendations for future research are presented. Last, implications from this investigation are discussed in regards to practicing school counselors, school counselor educators, and school counseling researchers.The sample size for this investigation was 690 with 577 used for the data analysis after data cleaning. The results of the SEM analyses identified that practicing school counselors' professional quality of life contributed to their programmatic service delivery (1.21% of the variance explained). In addition, the results identified that practicing school counselors' self-efficacy contributed to their programmatic service delivery (34.81% of the variance explained). Furthermore, the analysis indicated that the covariance between professional quality of life and self-efficacy accounted for 26% of the shared variance between these two constructs of interest.Implications of the findings from the study include (a) school counselors' self-efficacy contributes to their programmatic service delivery (large effect size), (b) school counselors' professional quality of life and self-efficacy contribute to one another (medium to large effect size), and (c) school counselors' professional quality of life contributes to their service delivery (small effect size). Additionally, this study provides implications in regards to: (a) the psychometric properties of the ProQOLs, SCSEs, and SCARS with a national sample of practicing school counselors and (b) research methodology related to differences in school counselors' response rates and total mean score on the ProQOLs, SCSEs, and SCARS based upon the sampling method, incentive type, and sampling population.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
CFE0005218, ucf:50627
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005218
The Impact of a Group Counseling Intervention on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Older Adolescents' Levels of Hope, Coping, and Suicidality
Title
The Impact of a Group Counseling Intervention on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Older Adolescents' Levels of Hope, Coping, and Suicidality.
Creator
Lamb, Catherine, Lambie, Glenn, Barden, Sejal, Conley, Abigail, Witta, Eleanor, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This investigation examined the impact of an eight-week group counseling intervention on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) older adolescents' (aged 18-20) levels of hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality. An experimental, randomized-controlled-trial research design was employed to identify differences between the intervention group and waitlist control group participants' hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality scores. In addition, the relationship between the...
Show moreThis investigation examined the impact of an eight-week group counseling intervention on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) older adolescents' (aged 18-20) levels of hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality. An experimental, randomized-controlled-trial research design was employed to identify differences between the intervention group and waitlist control group participants' hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality scores. In addition, the relationship between the LGBTQ+ participants' outcome variables (hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality) scores was examined. Furthermore, the impact of group therapeutic factors experienced by the LGBTQ+ participants in intervention group for the variables of hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality was examined.Key findings included a significant interaction between time and group placement, indicating that the intervention group participants experienced significant improvements on measures of hopefulness, coping behaviors, and suicidality when compared to participants in the waitlist control group. In addition, hope was demonstrated to be a strong and significant predictor of suicidality. Furthermore, it was found that group therapeutic factors had a positive effect on intervention group participants' Adaptive Coping scores, but did not have an effect on Hopefulness, Maladaptive Coping, or Suicidality as hypothesized. Lastly, there was no significant differences between the demographic variables perceptions of parental/guardian support, perceptions of peer support, gender identity, or ethnicity on their hopefulness, coping behaviors, or suicidality. There was, however, a significant difference between bisexual's and lesbian's post-test scores on Suicidality, with bisexuals scoring significantly lower. No other significant differences were observed between sexual orientation and the other key constructs.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
CFE0005194, ucf:50633
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005194