Christopher D. Slaten

Efficacy of Counseling and Psychotherapy in Schools: A Meta-Analytic Review of Treatment Outcome Studies

This study investigated the efficacy of counseling and psychotherapy interventions for youth in schools. Data were examined for 107 studies that included 132 treatment interventions. Overall efficacy was d = 0.45 and was significantly different from zero. Interventions for adolescents outperformed those of children, treatment groups that were predominately female or male did better than mixed-gender groups, and licensed professional therapists outperformed paraprofessionals, who outperformed graduate students. Implications for supporting the mental health needs of youth in schools are discussed.

Belonging on Campus A Qualitative Inquiry of Asian International Students

With the rise of Asian international students choosing to pursue higher education in the United States, research that identifies ways to promote Asian international students’ sense of belonging on campus is needed. We used consensual qualitative research methodology to examine factors that contribute to university belonging in a sample of Asian international students (N = 11) from a large university in the Midwestern United States. Through data analysis, we identified 14 categories across five domains (i.e., Interpersonal Interactions, Experiences of Acculturation, Campus Environment, Emphasis on Academic Achievement, and Intrapersonal Factors) that contributed to university belonging. Our findings highlight the importance of within-group social connection, acculturative stress, and academic success on Asian international students’ sense of university belonging. We discuss differences between Asian international and domestic students’ sense of belonging as well as implications for counseling psychologists, including interventions at the individual and institutional levels.

The Development and Validation of the University Belonging Questionnaire

ABSTRACT Although belonging in K–12 school settings has been abundantly researched and clearly defined, at the university level the research and construct definition is still in its infancy (Tovar & Simon, 2010). The present study sought to develop and validate an instrument measuring university belonging—the University Belonging Questionnaire (UBQ). In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted with a sample of university students (N = 421), finding a reliable scale with three factors: (a) university affiliation, (b) university support and acceptance, and (c) faculty and staff relations. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis on a new sample (N = 290), confirmed the final 3-factor, 24-item model. Further analyses demonstrated the convergent and incremental validity of the UBQ, as it positively correlated with measures of perceived social support, social connectedness, and general belonging. Implications and recommendations for university belonging research are discussed.

Bully Perpetration and Self-Esteem: Examining the Relation Over Time:

School-aged youth face a number of academic and behavioral challenges within the educational environment, including bullying involvement. Unfortunately, bullying has been linked to a number of detrimental psychosocial outcomes. Scholars have attempted to establish predictive profiles for youth involved in bullying. These profiles include bully perpetrators, where it has been argued that self-esteem is predictive of bullying behaviors. To address this association, the current study examined the relation between self-esteem and bully perpetration among 971 middle school youth through a longitudinal structural equation model. A three-step confirmatory factor analytic procedure determined that bully perpetration and self-esteem were metrically invariant and stable over time. The structural model suggested that bully perpetration at Time 1 predicted bully perpetration at Time 2, and self-esteem at Time 1 predicted self-esteem at Time 2. However, self-esteem at Time 1 did not predict bully perpetration at Time 2, and bully perpetration at Time 1 did not predict self-esteem at Time 2. These results suggest that students who engage in bully perpetration do not have higher or lower levels of self-esteem when compared with their peers who do not engage in bullying. Future research should continue to examine predictive factors associated with bully perpetration.

Person-centered educational practices in an urban alternative high school: the Black male perspective

ABSTRACT This study used phenomenology/consensual qualitative research to investigate the experiences of six Black male students in an urban alternative high school that focused on person-centered and culturally relevant educational practices. Findings reveal the importance of student and staff relationships, the development of student self-awareness, and culturally sensitive pedagogy. Results add to the support of person-centered educational practices paired with culturally relevant curriculum in the education of impoverished Black male youth. Implications for counselors are discussed.

Fulfilling Their Dreams: Marginalized Urban Youths' Perspectives on a Culturally Sensitive Social and Emotional Learning Program

ABSTRACT A growing body of research suggests educators need to focus on cultivating social and emotional competencies that youth will need to thrive in the new knowledge economy (Durlak, Weissberg, Dymnicki, Taylor, & Schellinger, 2011). For marginalized urban youth, in particular, few have derived programs and interventions to assist with these competencies. This study illuminates the perspectives of 9 African American youth at risk for academic failure taking part in the Fulfill the Dream (FTD) program. FTD is a social and emotional learning curriculum emphasizing social justice and critical consciousness through the utilization of hip-hop culture. Information regarding the nature of the collaboration of this research project and recommendations for education professionals working with marginalized youth are discussed.