title: Effects of a competency-based counseling training program for correctional officers.
abstract: The purposes of this study were (a) to determine whether a competency-based counseling training program can be effective in developing the counseling skills of correctional officers with diverse backgrounds and (b) to examine if participants would demonstrate positive changes in counseling skills regardless of their differences among a variety of demographic variables. One hundred and six correctional officers were selected to participate in this study. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied for collecting and analyzing data. The results indicate that the participants' counseling skills were significantly improved. Because the participants demonstrated positive changes in their overall counseling skills, the present research further supports no significant difference among a variety of variables. The training program also brought out deeper reflection on the significant learning experiences, greater theoretical knowledge, as well as greater understanding of the counseling work for the participants.
authors.affiliation: College of Humanities and Education, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung Li, Taiwan. jender@cycu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Peter Jen
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Der Pan
authors.forename: Shih-Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Karen Jye-Ru
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001076:Aptitude; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners; D011340:Problem Solving; D011361:Professional Competence; D012381:Role Playing; D012649:Self Concept; D013624:Taiwan