ERIC Number: ED556673
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 273
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3037-5536-1
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Pilot of a Learning Management System to Enhance Counselors' Relational Qualities through Mindfulness-Based Practices
Ballinger, Julie Ann
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of North Texas
Mindfulness-based practices are associated with increased attentional qualities, improved self-focus styles, enhanced empathic understanding, and strengthened self-compassion, making these practices a viable addition to counselor training programs. However, current mindfulness training models are primarily designed for relief of psychological distress, stress reduction, and increased well-being rather than focused on enhancing therapeutic skills and require intensive time commitments that may present logistical difficulties for overburdened curricula and graduate students. This study piloted an on-line, eight-week mindfulness-based practices learning management system for counselors (MBLMS-C) with a specific focus on the cultivation of qualities associated with successful therapeutic relationships. Ten of forty-six recruited counseling master's students enrolled in their first basic skills course at a sample of accredited universities across the United States completed the exit survey. Data were analyzed using multivariate repeated measures analyses comparing pre-post- counselor relational qualities of mindfulness traits, empathy, self-focus style, and self-compassion. Results indicated no statistically significant difference with a partial ?[superscript 2] = 0.73. What-if analyses (N = 30) indicated statistical significance may have been obtained given a larger sample. Variance was explained by increased self-compassion (partial ?[superscript 2] = 0.34) and mindfulness traits (partial ?[superscript 2] = 0.31) and decreased self-focus style rumination (partial ?[superscript 2] = 0.23) and empathic personal distress (partial ?[superscript 2] = 0.12). Changes were observed in the desired direction for self-focus style reflection and empathic perspective taking/empathic concern. Discussion includes a review of the findings including examination of participant feedback regarding training experience. Study limitations and implications for counselor education, professional enhancement, and suggestions for future research are also offered. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Integrated Learning Systems, Counselor Training, Metacognition, Graduate Students, Masters Programs, Pilot Projects, Student Surveys, Multivariate Analysis, Counselor Characteristics, Empathy, Perspective Taking
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A