University Counselor Experiences with the Surge in Mental Healthcare Demand in the United States
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| Title: | University Counselor Experiences with the Surge in Mental Healthcare Demand in the United States |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Julie Knight, Glenn Richard Penny, Sydney Parent |
| Source: | Research in Higher Education Journal. 2025 46. |
| Availability: | Academic and Business Research Institute. 147 Medjool Trail, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081. Tel: 904-435-4330; e-mail: editorial.staff@aabri.com; Web site: http://www.aabri.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 25 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Counselors, Counselor Attitudes, Mental Health, Health Services, Student Welfare, Higher Education, Responsibility, Teleworking, Work Life Expectancy, Burnout, Self Management, Psychological Patterns, COVID-19, Pandemics, Counselor Role |
| ISSN: | 1941-3432 |
| Abstract: | The problem addressed in the study is that university counselors in the United States have been overwhelmed by the surge in student mental health care demand. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore and document the perspectives of university counselors and how they had been affected by the surge in student mental healthcare in the United States and ways to address this problem. The conceptual framework of this study combined Adams' empowerment theory and Karasek's job demand-control theoretical model. Braun and Clarke's thematic analytic procedure was used to derive results from semistructured interviews with eight licensed university counselors. Six themes emerged based on the participants' responses: (1) counselors experienced changes in job responsibilities, (2) counselors experienced increased demand for services, (3) counselors exhibited signs of burnout, (4) counselors felt unsupported, (5) counselors used multiple strategies to mitigate stress, and (6) counselors experienced burnout. Recommendations for university administrators included increased staffing, providing additional self-care resources, and regular check-ins. Future research is needed to examine the effect on students, if any, due to university counselors' feelings of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1479065 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The problem addressed in the study is that university counselors in the United States have been overwhelmed by the surge in student mental health care demand. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore and document the perspectives of university counselors and how they had been affected by the surge in student mental healthcare in the United States and ways to address this problem. The conceptual framework of this study combined Adams' empowerment theory and Karasek's job demand-control theoretical model. Braun and Clarke's thematic analytic procedure was used to derive results from semistructured interviews with eight licensed university counselors. Six themes emerged based on the participants' responses: (1) counselors experienced changes in job responsibilities, (2) counselors experienced increased demand for services, (3) counselors exhibited signs of burnout, (4) counselors felt unsupported, (5) counselors used multiple strategies to mitigate stress, and (6) counselors experienced burnout. Recommendations for university administrators included increased staffing, providing additional self-care resources, and regular check-ins. Future research is needed to examine the effect on students, if any, due to university counselors' feelings of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. |
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| ISSN: | 1941-3432 |
