National Open University of Nigeria Student Counsellors' Perceptions of Code of Ethics Guiding Use of Online Resources for Counselling

Fidel Onjefu Okopi*
Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance Learning, Nigeria.
Periodicity:February - April'2017
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jpsy.10.4.13458

Abstract

This research determined the perception of Code of ethics guiding online counselling among NOUN student counsellors. Also, the research investigated whether there was significant difference between the female and male counsellors in their perceptions of code of ethics guiding online counselling. The purpose was to create awareness about code of ethics guiding online counselling among counsellors who wish to engage in online therapeutic approach and the need to abide by them. A self-developed Distance Counselling, Technology and Social Media Scale questionnaire (DCTSM) derived from 2014 American Counselling Association Code of Ethics (section H) was used for the research. Descriptive survey of Ex-post facto design and simple random sampling technique were used to draw a sample of seventy- two out of student counsellors' population of seventy–six. The highest mean score of 3.604 was obtained in client verification variable while the lowest mean of .857 was obtained in informed consent variable. Six hypotheses on gender differences were tested via t-test and the results obtained showed no significant differences among all the variables. In conclusion therefore, despite NOUN student counsellors having high positive perceptions of the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics guiding the use of online counselling resources, there is a need of continuous sensitisation especially in the area of obtaining client informed consent.

Keywords

Perception, Student Counsellors, Code, Ethics, On-lineCounselling, National Open University Nigeria.

How to Cite this Article?

Okopi, F.O. (2017). National Open University of Nigeria Student Counsellors’ Perceptions of Code of Ethics Guiding Use of Online Resources for Counselling. i-manager’s Journal on Educational Psychology, 10(4), 29-39. https://doi.org/10.26634/jpsy.10.4.13458

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