Ethical dilemmas in school psychology: A systematic review

Ethical practice is a core clinical competency for school psychologists. To gain a greater insight into ethical dilemmas psychologists encounter to inform their professional training needs, a systematic review was conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were applied to an examination of four databases. Using the standardized Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, a methodological appraisal and content analysis was completed on selected articles that included calculating an appraisal score. Ten empirical studies published between 2009 and 2023, representing the ethical experiences of 1,319 school psychologists from five countries, met the inclusion criteria. Studies included the use of quantitative methodologies (n = 8), qualitative methodology (n = 1), and a mixed methods approach (n = 1). The quality of these studies was appraised as high (n = 6), medium (n = 3), or low (n = 1). This review highlights gaps in research examining the ethical issues experienced by psychologists. The clinical implications of ethical dilemmas that were identified and future research considerations in this area are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).