Mindfulness, Psychological Flexibility, and Counseling Self-Efficacy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism by which counselor trainees' mindfulness and psychological flexibility are positively associated with counseling self-efficacy. First, it was hypothesized that having fewer experiences of hindering self-focused attention (i.e., counselor trainees' awareness of their own anxiety and distracting thoughts in sessions) would mediate the association between mindfulness and counseling self-efficacy. Second, it was hypothesized that having fewer experiences of hindering self-focused attention would mediate the association between psychological flexibility and counseling self-efficacy. Participants included 154 graduate counselor trainees. Results supported our hypotheses that counselor trainees with greater mindfulness reported having fewer experiences of hindering self-focused attention, which in turn was positively associated with counseling self-efficacy. Similarly, those with greater psychological flexibility also reported having fewer experiences of hindering self-focused attention, which in turn was positively associated with counseling self-efficacy. These findings were significant after controlling for age and number of practicum courses.

The relationship between emotional literacy, cognitive flexibility and counseling self-efficacy of senior students in psychology and psychological counseling and guidance

“…An analysis of counseling literature (Wei et al, 2015) has shown that psychological flexibility and conscious mindfulness are closely related with counseling selfefficacy.…”

Dispositional Mindfulness and Personal Distress as Predictors of Counseling Self‐Efficacy

“…This suggests mindful awareness may help individuals recognize and distinguish self‐focused attention that occurs from observing another person’s negative experience (Beitel et al, 2005). Moreover, self‐focused attention has been shown to mediate the relationship between mindfulness and counseling self‐efficacy (Wei, Tsai, Lannin, Du, & Tucker, 2015). Together, dispositional mindfulness and personal distress may be important contributors to counseling self‐efficacy; however, there are no research studies that examine the combination of these dispositions among CITs.…”

Psychological Flexibility Research Trends

“…values that are held fast. Psychological flexibility also correlates positively with self-efficacy (Wei, et al, 2015).…”