Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
06:04
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Identifying the Dimensions of Professional Identity Development in School Counselors Using Thematic Analysis
Rahim Cheldavi1, Khadijeh Shiralinia1, Mansour Sodani1
1Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
International Journal of School Health
|July 28, 2026
Summary
This study identified key dimensions of professional identity development in school counselors. Findings reveal internal, professional orientation, and external dimensions crucial for enhancing counseling services.
Area of Science:
- Education
- Psychology
- Counseling
Background:
- Professional identity development is crucial for school counselors to deliver effective student support.
- Understanding these developmental dimensions is key to optimizing counseling services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the dimensions of professional identity development in school counselors.
- To explore factors influencing the professional growth of school counselors.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing thematic analysis.
- Data collected through interviews with 11 school counselors in Ahvaz, Iran.
- Thematic analysis utilized MAXQDA software.
Main Results:
- Identified 34 basic themes, 8 organizing themes (e.g., personality, values, professional knowledge), and 3 global themes.
- Global themes encompass internal, professional orientation, and external dimensions of identity.
- Factors like personality traits, beliefs, values, and professional engagement significantly shape identity.
Conclusions:
- All identified themes contribute to the professional identity growth of school counselors.
- Findings provide a framework for developing targeted interventions to foster professional identity.
- Stakeholders can use these insights to enhance counselor training and support systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Role-Based Identity
Role-based identities are central to understanding how individuals navigate social environments by adopting distinct self-conceptions aligned with various societal roles. These identities are not fixed traits but are constructed through personal actions and the social feedback individuals receive in context-specific interactions. Each social role, such as student, teacher, or friend, carries a set of expectations and norms that influence how people think, feel, and behave within that...
01:26Marcia's Theory of Identity Status
James Marcia's identity status model provides a framework for understanding how adolescents navigate identity formation through varying degrees of exploration and commitment. Marcia's model builds on Erik Erikson's theories of psychosocial development, focusing specifically on how adolescents reconcile individual aspirations with societal expectations. His model describes identity formation as a dynamic process where adolescents move between different states depending on their level of...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:25Personal Identity
Personal identity is the deeply felt sense of self that individuals cultivate over time, intricately woven from intrinsic qualities they consider essential to their existence—qualities such as morality, intelligence, and friendliness. These attributes serve as vital internal benchmarks, guiding individuals in evaluating whether their actions resonate with their true selves.When personal identity takes center stage in one's life, individuals often emphasize their distinctiveness, highlighting...