College counselors' perceptions and practices regarding anticipatory guidance on firearms.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed college counselors' anticipatory guidance on firearms for student clients. PARTICIPANTS: The membership of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors was used to identify a national random sample of counseling centers (n = 361). One counsel...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of American College Health Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 133 - 140
Autores principales: Price J, Mrdjenovich AJ, Thompson A, Dake JA
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Sep/Oct2009
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:OBJECTIVES: This study assessed college counselors' anticipatory guidance on firearms for student clients. PARTICIPANTS: The membership of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors was used to identify a national random sample of counseling centers (n = 361). One counselor from each center was selected to survey. METHODS: In the winter of 2008, a 3-wave mailing procedure was used to maximize the response rate. Completed surveys served as consent (as approved by the University Human Subjects Committee). RESULTS: A total of 213 counselors (59%) responded. They were unlikely to provide anticipatory guidance (6%), chart/keep records on client ownership/access to firearms (17%), or to counsel the majority of clients from various diagnostic categories on firearms. CONCLUSIONS: University personnel are likely to refer students with suspected mental health problems to university counseling centers. The findings indicate that few counseling centers will address firearm issues with students.