Anxiety and counseling self-efficacy among counseling students: the moderating role of mindfulness and alexithymia

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Karen E. Hall (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Craig Cashwell

Abstract: This study explored the relationship between anxiety and counseling self-efficacy and the moderating effects of mindfulness and alexithymia. One hundred and fifty two pre-internship counseling trainees from CACREP programs across the country were surveyed to determine their levels of anxiety, mindfulness, alexithymia and counseling self-efficacy using the Trimodal Anxiety Questionnaire, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Counselor Activity Self-Efficacy Scales. Pearson Product Moment Coefficients revealed significant pairwise relationships among the variables of interest in the expected directions. In a linear regression, somatic and behavioral anxiety (but not cognitive anxiety) emerged as significant predictors of counseling self-efficacy. In a Stepwise regression, the observe, describe, and nonreact facets of mindfulness also emerged as significant predictors of counseling self-efficacy, although the nonjudge and acting with awareness facets did not. The hypotheses that mindfulness and alexithymia served to moderate the relationship between anxiety and counseling self-efficacy were not supported, but instead mindfulness, and to a lesser extent alexithymia may be more direct predictors of counseling self-efficacy. The results suggest that mindfulness and emotional skills training may be important variables to consider in supporting counselor trainee's self-efficacy. The findings have implications for counselor education and supervision and provide direction for future research in counselor development.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2009
Keywords
Alexithymia, Anxiety, Counseling, Counseling self-efficacy, Counselor Education, Mindfulness
Subjects
Counselors $x Training of.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Anxiety.
Alexithymia.
Self-efficacy.
Counseling.

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