![[PDF]](/pb-assets/Icons/adobe-pdf-icon-1498649896243.png){kind=icon}
Abstract
This study used a semi-structured interview with 94 teachers from 92 elementary and secondary schools in Beijing, China, to explore their perceptions of the roles, training, and challenges of school psychological service providers (SPs) as well as teachers’ satisfaction with the services provided by SPs. Results indicated that the SP to student ratio was 1:1360. Only 32 (34.8%) schools had SPs who were certified as mental health counselors or who had degrees in psychology, and 18 (19.6%) schools did not have SPs. Based on teacher report, SPs’ roles mainly focused on services for students (teaching mental health classes, counseling, consultation), with a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention. About half of the teachers were satisfied with SPs’ work, but others had no contact with SPs or were dissatisfied with their work partially due to SPs’ lack of training and skills. The results suggest a severe shortage of training for SPs in Beijing, China. Other challenges for SPs include low status, lack of training and skills, and work-related stress. The results provide valuable information about school psychology practice in Beijing, China, and important implications for both research and policy making in school psychology in China and other Asian countries.
References
Section:
| Beijing. CN (2012). Beijing de ke jiao [Science and education in Beijing]. Retrieved from http://bjjs.beijing.cn/smbj/n214078121.shtml. Google Scholar | |
| Bell, H. D., & McKenzie, V. (2013). Perceptions and realities: The role of school psychologists in Melbourne, Australia. The Australian Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 30(1), 54–73. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/edp.2013.1. Google Scholar | |
| Bramlett, R. K., Murphy, J. J., Johnson, J., Wallingsford, L., Hall, J. D. (2002) Contemporary practices in school psychology: A national survey of roles and referral problems. Psychology in the Schools 39: 327–335. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Charmaz, K. (2006) Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Google Scholar | |
| Creswell, J. W. (1998) Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Google Scholar | |
| Creswell, J. W. (2009) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Google Scholar | |
| Curtis, M. J., Lopez, A. D., Castillo, J. M., Batsche, G. M., Minch, D., Smith, J. C. (2008) The status of school psychology: Demographic characteristics, employment conditions, professional practices, and continuing professional development. Communique 36: 27–29. Google Scholar | |
| D’Amato, R. C., van Schalkwyk, C. J., Zhao, B. Y., & Hu, J. (2013). Understanding the development of school psychology in Mainland China. School Psychology International, 34, 131–144. doi: 10.1177/0143034312453392. Google Scholar | |
| Ding, Y., Kuo, Y., & Van Dyke, D. (2008). School psychology in China (PRC), Hong Kong and Taiwan: A cross-regional perspective. School Psychology International, 29, 529–548, doi: 10.1177/0143034308099200. Google Scholar | |
| Ding, Y., Yang, L.-Y., Xiao, F., Van Dyke, D. C. (2008) Post-Mao China educational services for exceptional individuals. Journal of International Association of Special Education 8(1): 45–57. Google Scholar | |
| Fouad, N. A., Grus, C. L., Hatcher, R. L., Kaslow, N. J. Hutchings, P. S., Madson, M., Collins, F. L. (2009). Competency benchmarks: A developmental model for understanding and measuring competence in professional psychology. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 3(4, Suppl), Nov 2009, S5–S26. doi: 10.1037/a0015832. Google Scholar | |
| Gao, X., Jackson, T., Chen, H., Liu, Y., Wang, R., Qian, M., Huang, X. (2010) There is a long way to go: A nationwide survey of professional training for mental health practitioners in China. Health Policy 95: 74–81. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2009.11.004. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Glaser, B., Strauss, A. (1967) The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research, Chicago, IL: Aldine. Google Scholar | |
| Harry, B., Sturges, K., Klingner, J. (2005) Mapping the process: An exemplar of process and challenge in grounded theory analysis. Educational Researcher 34: 3–13. doi: 10.3102/0013189X034002003. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
| Hatzichristou, C., Lampropoulou, A., & Lykitsakou, K. (2006). Addressing cultural factors in development of system interventions. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 22, 103–126. doi: 10.1300/J370v22n02_06. Google Scholar | |
| He, L. G., Huang, L. (2005) The future demands of school psychology in Mainland China. Journal of Suzhou College 20: 107–108. 141. Google Scholar | |
| Jia, Y. M., Way, N., Ling, G. M., Yoshikawa, H., Chen, X. Y., Hughes, D., … Lu, Z. (2009). The influence of student perceptions of school climate on socioemotional and academic adjustment: A comparison of Chinese and American adolescents. Child Development, 81, 1514–1530. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01348.x. Google Scholar | |
| Jimerson, S. R., Graydon, K., Yuen, M., Lam, S. Thurm, J., Kleuva, N., et al. and the ISPA Research Committee. (2006). The International School Psychology Survey: Data from Australia, China, Germany, Italy and Russia. School Psychology International, 27, 5–32. doi: 10.1177/0143034306062813. Google Scholar | |
| Kenney, M. K. (2007). Social and academic benefits of looping primary grade students (Master’s thesis). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/62018589?accountid=14521. (62018589; ED496341). Google Scholar | |
| Le, P., Hagans, K., Powers, K., & Hass, M. (2011). Developing school psychology in Vietnam. Communique, 39(6). http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq/39/6/SP-Vietnam.aspx. Google Scholar | |
| Li, X. (2011). Comparison of training for mental health educators in China and the United States. Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shangdong, P. R. China. Retrieved from http://cdmd.cnki.com.cn/Article/CDMD-10446-1011116902.htm. Google Scholar | |
| Ma, X., Yao, Y., & Zhao, X. (2013). Prevalence of behavioral problems and related family functioning among middle school students in an eastern city of China. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 5(1), E1–E8. doi: 10.1111/j.1758-5872.2012.00211.x. Google Scholar | |
| Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China. (2002). Zhong xiao xue xin li jian kang jiao yu zhi dao gan gyao [Guidelines for mental health education in elementary and secondary schools]. Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s3324/201001/81970.html. Google Scholar | |
| Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China. (2012). Zhong xiao xue xin li jian kang jiao yu zhi dao gan gyao (2012 xiu ding) [Guidelines for mental health education in elementary and secondary schools (2012 reauthorization)]. Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China. Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s7024/201212/xxgk_145679.html. Google Scholar | |
| Morse, J. (1994) Designing funded qualitative research. In: Denzin, N. K., Lincoln, Y. S. (eds) Handbook of qualitative research, 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, pp. 220–235. Google Scholar | |
| Nastasi, B. K., Varjas, K. (2011) International development of school psychology. In: Bray, M., Kehle, T. (eds) Oxford handbook of school psychology, New York, NY: Oxford, pp. 810–828. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| National Association of School Psychologists. (2006). School psychology: A blueprint on the future of training and practice. Bethesda, MD: Author. Google Scholar | |
| National Association of School Psychologists. (2010). NASP model for comprehensive and integrated school psychological services. Retrieved from http://www.nasponline.org/standards/practice-model/. Google Scholar | |
| National Association of School Psychologists. (2014). NASP-approved/nationally recognized graduate programs in school psychology. Retrieved from http://www.nasponline.org/certification/naspapproved.aspx. Google Scholar | |
| National Association of School Psychologists. (n.d.). Becoming a nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP). Retrieved from http://www.nasponline.org/certification/becomeNCSP.aspx. Google Scholar | |
| Ni, H., Jones, C., & Bruning, R. (2012). Chinese teachers’ evaluation criteria as reflected in narrative student evaluations: Implications for psychological services in schools. School Psychology International, 34(2), 223–238. doi: 10.1177/0143034312437079. Google Scholar | |
| Oakland, T. D., & Saigh, P. (1987). Psychological services in schools: A summary of international perspectives. Journal of School Psychology, 25, 287–308, doi: 10.1016/0022-4405(87)90081-1. Google Scholar | |
| Ramalingam, P., & Nath, Y. (2012). School psychology in India: A vision for the future. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 38(1), 22–33. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/928984314?accountid=14521. Google Scholar | |
| Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Elam, G. (2003) Designing and selecting samples. In: Ritchie, J., Lewis, J. (eds) Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, pp. 77–108. Google Scholar | |
| Saldaña, J. (2009) The coding manual for qualitative researchers, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Google Scholar | |
| Tangdhanakanond, K., & Lee, D. H. (2014). Thai and Korean students’ perceptions about the roles and functions of school psychologists. School Psychology International, 35, 115–121. doi: 10.1177/0143034312469153. Google Scholar | |
| Teddlie, C., & Liu, S. (2008). Examining teacher effectiveness within differentially effective primary schools in the People’s Republic of China. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 19, 387–407. doi: 10.1080/09243450802535182. Google Scholar | |
| US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS). (2013). Degrees and Other Formal Awards Conferred surveys, 1970–71 through 1985–86; Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Completions Survey (IPEDS-C:91–99); and IPEDS Fall 2000 through Fall 2012, Completions component. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d13/tables/dt13_322.10.asp. Google Scholar | |
| World Health Organization. (2003). Global school-based mental health survey reports. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/chp/gshs/china/en/index.html. Google Scholar | |
| Xu, H. (2007) A study of high school psychology teachers’ health personality structures. Psychological Science 30: 1208–1210. Google Scholar | |
| Xu, T. (2014, June 19). Beijing qu nian chang zhu ren kou 2114.8 wan. [Beijing’s population reached 21.148 million last year]. Beijing Daily. Retrieved from http://bjrb.bjd.com.cn. Google Scholar | |
| Yang, C., Bear, G. G., Chen, F., Zhang, W., Blank, J. C., & Huang, X. (2013). Students’ perceptions of school climate in the US and China. School Psychology Quarterly, 28, 7–24. doi: 10.1037/spq0000002. Google Scholar | |
| Yang Guang Gao Kao (2013). Xin li xue. [Psychology]. Retrieved from http://gaokao.chsi.com.cn/zyk/zybk/specialityDetail.action?specialityId=73384076. Google Scholar | |
| Yu, Z. H. (2009) Exploration of social causes of mental disease in current China and adjustment. Academic Journal of Shanxi Provincial Committee Party School of CPCC 32: 106–108. Google Scholar | |
| Zhao, L. (2012) Rang ban zhu ren cheng wei xue sheng cheng zhang de ying lu ren. [Let classroom lead teachers be the guide for students’ mental health development]. Modern Education Science 2: 123, 82. Google Scholar | |
| Zucker, J. R. (2010). Consumer perceptions of school psychologists: The views of parents, teachers, and administrators. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 2708. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/819633536?accountid=14521. (819633536; 2010-99200-368). Google Scholar |
