Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Counselor Education and Supervision

Committee Chair

Michelle Brasfield

Abstract

Professional school counselors (PSCs) play a pivotal role in fostering student growth and development by supporting their well-being across academic, career, and social-emotional domains. However, PSC wellness is equally critical as it directly influences job satisfaction, professional efficacy, and the ability to serve students effectively. Wellness, a holistic state of well-being encompassing mind, body, and spirit, should be a fundamental component of PSC development. The American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics (2014) underscores the importance of counselor wellness, emphasizing its direct connection to the quality of services provided. Research suggests that when PSCs prioritize their well-being, they are better equipped to fulfill their professional responsibilities with fidelity and effectiveness. Despite the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model clearly defining PSCs' appropriate roles and responsibilities, various barriers, such as role ambiguity, role conflict, excessive caseloads, and administrative expectations, often impede appropriate duties. The misalignment between appropriate and inappropriate duties detracts from the intended scope of PSC work and significantly impacts counselor wellness and professional fulfillment. This study examines PSCs’ perceived wellness in relation to role ambiguity and role conflict as defined by ASCA's appropriate and inappropriate duties. Specifically, it examines how PSCs allocate their time between appropriate and inappropriate duties, taking into account factors such as administrative support, years of experience, and caseload size. By exploring the relationship between job responsibilities and counselor wellness, this study contributes to the growing body of research on PSC well-being and highlights the need for systemic support to align PSC roles with best practices. Keywords: Professional school counselors, wellness, ASCA-recommended duties, role ambiguity, role conflict, administrative support

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

PDF

Notes

Open access.

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