Ethical Problems Experienced by Counselors during the University Preference Advising Process

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate ethical problems experienced by counselors who serve during the university preference advising process and their coping strategies in the face of these problems. In this qualitative research study based on phenomenology design, the data were collected via semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze the data and the findings were reported by using metaphorical analysis. The sample consisted of 10 participants (80% male, 70% have a bachelor's degree and 70% have taken ethics courses in their undergraduate education) who were selected by using purposive sampling method. The participants who have been providing preference advising for at least four years and were graduated from Department of Psychology or Psychological Counseling and Guidance were included into the study. The findings were reported by using a metaphor of the ships passing through the Bosphorus. Accordingly, the preference process was associated with the passage process of ships through the Bosphorus and the ethical problems experienced during this advising process were associated with the difficulties that the ships may face with during their passage. Students who receive preference advising services were likened to the ships trying to cross the Bosphorus (on which they travel with their family and relatives), and the counselors who provide preference advising to the pilot ships guiding the other ships. In this context, it was observed that ethical problems emerged during the preference process may sometimes be caused by the pilot ship itself or sometimes by other pilot ships performing the same task. According to the findings, ethical problems raised due to pilot ships in areas such as professionalism, competence, confidentiality, respect for student autonomy, dual and multiple relationships, and professional relations with other colleagues. The results also addressed system and family-based problems that may lead to ethical problems in the preference process. It was seen that just as factors such as managerial problems, lack of crew and other resources may cause problems while ships are moving through the Bosphorus; in the preference advising process; issues related to school / institution administrators, place, wage, number of students served, the internet and social media and family may lead to ethical problems. Finally, it was seen that when counselors faced ethical problems, just as there were various methods to overcome problems faced by pilot ships, counselors used some strategies such as consulting colleagues, using available technologies, setting boundaries with the administrators, informing, self-improvement, acting for the benefit of society and being proactive. The results indicated that there is a need to develop an ethical perspective in providing career services and to reform the preference process in terms of system related factors.