Undergraduate students’ concerns and gender preferences for counsellors

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to explore the concerns of undergraduate students regarding seeking counseling services and their gender preferences for counselors. The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The quantitative phase involves distributing surveys to a sample of undergraduate students to gather data on their concerns about seeking counseling services and their preferences for the gender of counselors. The survey includes questions about the perceived stigma associated with seeking counseling, the barriers to accessing counseling services, and the importance of counselor gender in the decision-making process. The qualitative phase of the research involves conducting in-depth interviews with a subset of participants to delve deeper into their experiences and perspectives. Through these interviews, the researchers aim to uncover the underlying reasons behind students' concerns about seeking counseling and their gender preferences for counselors. Data analysis will involve both quantitative methods such as statistical analysis of survey responses and qualitative methods such as thematic analysis of interview transcripts. By triangulating the findings from both methods, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of undergraduate students' concerns and preferences related to counseling services. The results of this research are expected to shed light on the factors influencing undergraduate students' decisions about seeking counseling services and the role of counselor gender in this process. The findings may have implications for counseling service providers and university administrators in terms of addressing students' concerns and improving the accessibility and effectiveness of counseling services on college campuses. Overall, this research project contributes to the existing literature on student mental health and counseling services by focusing specifically on the concerns and gender preferences of undergraduate students. By exploring these aspects in depth, the study aims to provide valuable insights that can inform the development of more student-centered and inclusive counseling services in higher education settings.