ERIC Number: EJ1083109
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2168-6653
EISSN: N/A
Master's Students' Rehabilitation Counselor Identity Formation: A Descriptive Study
Louw, Julia S.; Austin, Bryan S.; Rak, Eniko; Barnes, Erin
Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, v29 n4 p302-319 2015
Purpose: This article aims to advance understanding of professional identity by exploring the process by which development occurs. Drawing on Hall's model of professional identity development that explores the structural and attitudinal changes that occur in the identity development process, this study describes master's students' developmental process in rehabilitation counseling. Method: Data were collected through 5 open-ended questions, which formed part of a survey questionnaire. Results: Using grounded theory analysis, findings indicate that both structural- and attitudinal-level factors impacted master's students' professional identity development. Students described their professional identity as not yet defined, connected to their counseling competencies and skills, or reflective of their personal qualities. Discussion: Implications of these findings for counselor training and evolution of the field toward a strong and unified professional identity are discussed.
Descriptors: Masters Programs, Rehabilitation Counseling, Professional Identity, Attitude Change, Questionnaires, Grounded Theory, Counselor Training
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A