Article Sidebar

Download
View Full Article XML S.I.S
Statistic
Read Counter : 115 Download : 64

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Main Article Content

Abstract

The study explores university students' attitudes towards online counselling within higher institutions in the Sunyani Municipality, focusing on Sunyani Technical University (STU) and the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR). As a result of the technological revolution and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, online counselling has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional face-to-face counselling. This research adopts a descriptive survey design, utilizing a sample size of 380 students selected through simple random sampling. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings indicate that students view online counselling as beneficial, particularly appreciating its convenience and flexibility in fitting into their busy schedules. However, despite recognizing its benefits, students expressed reservations about utilizing online counselling services, citing concerns about the lack of personal interaction, difficulties in establishing trust, and discomfort in discussing personal issues online. Gender-based differences were also observed, with male students demonstrating a more favourable attitude towards online counselling services than their female counterparts. The study underscores the need for online counselling platforms to address trust-building and personal connection issues to be more effective. Additionally, tailored strategies may be necessary to encourage female students to engage more with online counselling. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and educational institutions in designing and implementing more effective online counselling services that cater to the diverse needs of students in higher education.

Keywords

Online counselling Student attitudes Higher education Gender differences Sunyani Municipality

Article Details

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Corley, S., Affum, P. K., & Inkoom, D. (2024). Students’ Attitude Towards Online Counselling: The Case of Higher Institutions in the Sunyani Municipality. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies and Innovative Research, 12(3), 52–62. https://doi.org/10.53075/Ijmsirq/09843432423447
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

References

  1. Aaron, B., Rochlen, D., Vogel, L., & Michael, J. M. (2005). The practical aspects of online counselling, are ethics, training, technology, and competency. The Counselling Psychologist, 1(33), 776-818.
  2. Abbott, J.-A. M., Klein, B., & Ciechomski, L. (2008). Best practices in online therapy. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 26(2-4), 360–375.
  3. Adebowale, O. (2014). Disposition of students to online counselling: The Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigerian experience. International Journal of Education and Development using ICT, 10(3), 22-31.
  4. Affum, P. K., Kuranchie, A., & Mensah, M. K. (2016). The place of theory in traditional guidance and counselling in modern Ghanaian cultures. African Educational Research Journal, 4(3), 131.
  5. Akinade, A. E. (2002). The precarious agenda: Christian-Muslim relations in contemporary Nigeria. Public Lecture, 118-127.
  6. Amedahe, F. K., & Gyimah, E. A. (2005). Introduction to educational research. Cape Coast, Ghana: Centre for Continuing Education.
  7. American Counselling Association (2014). ACA code of ethics and standards of practice. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.
  8. Arku, B. (2015). Attitudes of University of Cape Coast male students towards counselling. Un-published master’s thesis, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast.
  9. Attridge, W. C. (2004). Current practices and future implications for Internet counselling. Greensboro, NC: CAPS Press.
  10. Awabil, G., & Akosah, J. C. (2018). An attitude of Ghanaian university students towards online counselling. Journal of Education and Practice, 9(11), 10-16.
  11. Bada, K. (2013). Integrating digital learning objects for HIV/AIDS prevention: contextualized approach. Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Wisconsin.
  12. Betz, N. E. (2007). Career self-efficacy: Exemplary recent research and emerging directions. Journal of Career Assessment, 15(4), 403-422.
  13. Bozarth, J. D., & Brodley, B. T. (1991). Actualization: A functional concept in client-centred therapy. Journal of Social Behaviour and Personality, 6(5), 45-55.
  14. Buku, O. K., & Taylor, A. I. (2006). Basics in guidance and counselling (2nd ed.). Accra: Salt and Light Publications.
  15. Clark, M. A., & Stone, C. B. (2002). Clicking with students: Using online assignments in counsellor education courses. Journal of Technology in Counselling, 2(2), 22-37.
  16. Cohen, G. E., & Kerr, B. A. (1998). Computer-mediated counselling: An empirical study of a.
  17. Cook, J. E., & Doyle, C. (2002). Working alliance in online therapy as compared to face-to-face therapy: Preliminary results. Cyberpsychology & Behaviour, 5(2), 95-105.
  18. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
  19. Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610.
  20. Kreuger, L., & Neuman, W. L. (2006). Social work research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches with Research Navigator. San Diego, CA: Pearson/Ally and Bacon.
  21. Krueger Jr, N. F., Reilly, M. D., & Carsrud, A. L. (2000). Competing models of entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Business Venturing, 15(5-6), 411-432.
  22. Lambert, G. H. (1992). Guidelines for monitoring and management of pediatric patients during and after sedation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Pediatrics, 89(6), 106.
  23. Lambert, M. J., & Ogles, B. M. (2004). The efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapy. In M. J. Lambert (Ed.), Bergin & Garfield’s Handbook of psychotherapy and behaviour change (5th ed.). New York: Wiley, 1110-1115.
  24. Liebrenz, M., Bhugra, D., Buadze, A., & Schleifer, R. (2020). Caring for persons in detention suffering from mental illness during the Covid-19 outbreak. Forensic Science International: Mind and Law, 1, 100013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsiml.2020.100013
  25. Lewis, J., & Coursol, D. (2007). Addressing career issues online: Perceptions of counsellor education professionals. Journal of Employment Counselling, 44(4), 146-178.
  26. Manhal-Baugus, M. (2001). E-therapy: Practical, ethical, and legal issues. CyberPsychology & Behaviour, 4(5), 551-563.
  27. Robinson, E., Titov, N., Andrews, G., McIntyre, K., Schwencke, G., & Solley, K. (2010). Internet treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial comparing clinician vs. technician assistance.
  28. Robson, D. (2000). Ethical issues in Internet counselling. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 13(3), 249-258.
  29. Rochlen, A. B., Beretvas, S. N., & Zack, J. S. (2004). The online and face-to-face counselling attitudes scales: A validation study. Measurement and Evaluation in Counselling and Development, 37(2), 95-111.
  30. Rockwell, S., Schauer, S., Fritz, S., & Marx, D. (1999). Incentives and obstacles influencing higher educational faculty and administrators to teach via distance. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 2-16.
  31. Sussman, R. J. (2004). Counselling over the Internet: Benefits and challenges in the uses of new technologies. Greensboro, NC: CAPS Press.
  32. Taylor, A. I., & Buku, O. K. (2006). Basics in guidance and counselling (2nd ed.). Department of Psychology & Education, University of Education, Winneba.
  33. Wright, J. (2002). Online counselling: Learning from writing therapy. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 30(3), 285-298.