Browsing by Author "Dr. Helen Lupton-Smith, Committee Member"

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Cybersupervision of Entry Level Practicum Supervisees: The Effect on Acquisition of Counselor Competence and Confidence
(2006-12-01) Chapman, Russell Alan; Dr. Stanley Baker, Committee Member; Dr. Helen Lupton-Smith, Committee Member; Dr. Edwin Gerler, Committee Co-Chair; Dr. Sylvia Nassar-McMilan, Committee Co-Chair
The purpose of this dissertation paper is to propose and implement a research study in Cybersupervision (Watson, 2003). This research experiment is a N=1 case study design, replicated 5 times, to investigate counselor self-efficacy and skill competence in an online/distance learning practicum course. Cybersupervision, or electronically mediated counseling supervision and practice, is of growing interest to the profession. The research in this area is minimal, but does provide positive findings which indicate effective counselor training and supervision practices. This study's purpose is not only to add to the research in this area, but also to show that counselor self-efficacy (CSE) can increase as counselor skill acquisition increases through the use of online counselor supervision (Cybersupervision). This researcher found the participants in this study increased both CSE and skill acquisition in all five experiments, and in 4 of 5 experiments the results were significant and conclusive.
Effect of Team Climate on Substance Use Behaviors, Perceptions, and Attitudes of Student-Athletes at a Large, Public University in the Southeast
(2008-03-24) Tomon, Jennifer Eileen; Dr. Edwin R. Gerler, Committee Member; Dr. Helen Lupton-Smith, Committee Member; Dr. Siu-Man "Raymond" Ting, Committee Chair
Prior research shows that college student-athletes experience higher rates of substance use than their non-athlete peers. Studies have also shown that variation in substance use exists on the basis of sport/team affiliation. This study seeks to determine the influence of team climate on the differences in substance use behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes among athletic teams. The first part of this thesis includes a review of the literature on the prevalence of substance use among college student-athletes as well as the theoretical approaches most relevant to a study of social networks and the effects on substance use. The literature review is followed by the results and discussion of a study conducted with a sample of 188 student-athletes at a large, public university in the southeastern United States. Analysis of the results of the Student-Athlete Team Climate and Substance Use Survey (SATCSUS) showed that that team climates of the participants' athletic teams related to the substance use behaviors and perceptions of the student-athletes but not to their attitudes toward substance use. Several demographic variables were also shown to be related to the substance use behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes of the student-athletes. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the findings as well as the limitations and implications of the study.
Lessons from the Field: Balancing Comprehensiveness and Feasibility in Peer Mediation Programs
(2003-02-13) Dillon, Maura; Dr. Edwin Gerler, Committee Member; Dr. Helen Lupton-Smith, Committee Member; Dr. Stanley Baker, Committee Chair
The purpose of this qualitative study has been to develop a list of preliminary ideas about how to create peer mediation programs that are both realistic and maximally beneficial. The research involved reviewing recommendations made in the professional literature for creating successful programs and soliciting practical perspectives on these recommendations by interviewing five middle school counselors currently coordinating peer mediation programs. While the professional literature tends to emphasize comprehensiveness of programming (i.e. school-wide conflict resolution curricula, mediation opportunities for all students, teacher and administrator training, and discipline practices based on conflict resolution principles), the majority of programs implemented are small-scale, cadre type programs that incorporate few if any of these elements. In this study, coordinators emphasized the importance of school-wide conflict resolution curricula and of behavior management practices consistent with ideas of conflict resolution. All coordinators agreed that teacher support and awareness of a program were extremely important to the success of porgrams, but only two coordinators felt that teacher training was important. Most coordinators felt that training all students to be mediators was generally unrealistic and did not need to be a primary goal of an effective program. Other significant findings included the importance of having a diversity of mediators in a program, designing programs to fit individual schools, declining district support since the 1990s, importance of 'selling' the program to teachers, administrators and students, and importance of having a long-term perspective for program maturity.
School Counselors in Public Montessori - A Qualitative Study of Three Public Elementary Schools
(2003-11-24) Seymour, Pamela Mecca; Dr. Stanley Baker, Committee Chair; Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Committee Member; Dr. Helen Lupton-Smith, Committee Member
This study uses qualitative research methods to examine the role of school counselors in three public Montessori elementary schools. Through the process of interviews and site visits, the data collected are compared against the American School Counseling Association's guidelines for a balanced and comprehensive guidance program. Data are also evaluated to see if philosophical and pedagogical elements of Montessori are integrated into each school's guidance program. The findings show that all three schools have programs that provide intervention services at a much higher rate than preventative services, and they have difficulty integrating Montessori pedagogy into their counseling programs. However, the opinions of the counselors at all three schools are favorable toward Montessori, and there seem to be possibilities for Montessori / counseling integration that could provide a very strong balanced and comprehensive guidance program.