Gender Preference of Counsellors Among University Students Seeking Counselling Services
Date
2020-02-01
Authors
Kamunyu, Ruth
Ndungo, Catherine
Wango, Geoffrey
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science
Abstract
Due to changes in traditional social set up, individuals have been estranged from their kin and community that provided the necessary support system, thus an increase in the number of individuals, both males and females looking for professional therapy. University students who mainly comprise of young adults encounter emotional and psychological issues that require therapy. The objective of this study was to look into the gender preference of students seeking therapeutic help. The study is guided by Person Centred and Social Learning Theories. The study applied descriptive survey research design using quantitative and qualitative data. Simple stratified, random and purposive sampling techniques were used to sample three universities, 310 students and seven student counsellors. Data was gathered using in-depth interview schedules, questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions. Quantitative data was examined using descriptive statistics and then presented in Tables, Pie charts and Bar graphs. For qualitative data, emerging patterns of the content analysis is presented thematically according to research objectives. The findings reveal huge gender discrepancies among university counsellors where 57% are women compared to 43% men. The study reveals gender discrepancy among
students seeking counselling in the universities where more female students than males seek counselling services according to 86% counsellors and 97% students. The study findings reveals that 54% of students prefer female counsellors as compared to 27% that prefer male counsellors. Female counsellors are preferred for being caring, nurturing and understanding. The study advocates for intake counsellors to be gender sensitive and
allocate the preferred gender according to problems presented.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Gender, Preference, Discrepancy
Citation
Kamunyu, R., Ndungo, C., & Wango, G. (2020). Gender Preference of Counsellors Among University Students Seeking Counselling Services. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 25(2), 20–28.
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