ERIC Number: ED234143
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1982-Jun
Pages: 111
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Effects of Small Group Counseling Using Structured Activities on the Self-Concept of Disadvantaged Post-Secondary Students.
Gowen, Doris
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of group counseling using structured activities on the self-concept of disadvantaged postsecondary students enrolled in vocational-technical schools. Volunteers meeting Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) and Basic Educational Opportunity Grant (BEOG) definitions of "disadvantaged" were randomly selected and placed into two groups, a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group met twice weekly for a total of 12 counseling sessions. In the sessions, the counselor tried to assist students to learn more about self, plan some intervention strategies to improve student self-concepts, and prevent absences, tardiness, and dropouts, while students tried to succeed in school and employment. The clinical and research form of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale was given as a pre- and posttest. Statistical data gathered were compared through the F test of analysis of variance. Based on the findings of the study, these suggestions were made for similar counseling programs: (1) handouts with minimum amounts of reading material at an easy reading level should be used; (2) interactions through dyads or small groups of five or less are very effective; and (3) six one-hour sessions would be sufficient, using selected structured activities perceived by the students to be interesting and worthwhile. Activities used in the counseling sessions are included in the appendix. (Author/KC)
Descriptors: Counseling Effectiveness, Counseling Techniques, Disadvantaged, Displaced Homemakers, Dropout Prevention, Educational Counseling, Employment Potential, Group Counseling, Postsecondary Education, Program Effectiveness, Program Implementation, Self Actualization, Self Concept, Self Concept Measures, Self Evaluation (Individuals), Technical Education, Two Year College Students, Vocational Education, Vocational Schools
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Counselors; Researchers; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Southeast Kansas Area Vocational-Technical School, Columbus.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A