School Counsellors’ Perceptions on Working with Student High-Risk Behaviour

Authors

  • Gregory E. Harris Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Gary Jeffery Memorial University

Keywords:

school counselling, guidance counselling, educational psychology, high-risk behaviours

Abstract

The current exploratory-descriptive study used a survey design method to examine guid-ance counsellors’ and educational psychologists’ perceptions of their preparation, motiva-tion, and effectiveness in preventing, assessing, and intervening into student high-risk behaviour. The study also explored training associated with addressing high-risk behaviour along with the perceived responsibility and roles of school counsellors when faced with such behaviour. Views related to the following seven categories of high-risk behaviour were explored: (a) suicide attempts; (b) self-mutilation (e.g., cutting); (c) bullying; (d) extreme school violence (e.g., school shootings, bombings); (e) eating disorders and related behaviour (e.g., extreme exercising); (f) sexual behaviour leading to risk of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs); and (g) drug-using behaviour (e.g., IV drug use, needle sharing) leading to risk of HIV or other STIs. Implications for training, practice, and research are discussed.

Author Biography

Gregory E. Harris, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Home Ph: (709) 738-2306

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Published

2010-03-08

How to Cite

Harris, G. E., & Jeffery, G. (2010). School Counsellors’ Perceptions on Working with Student High-Risk Behaviour. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 44(2). Retrieved from https://dev.journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/rcc/article/view/58911

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Section

Articles/ Articles