Given the growing population of aging adults, there is a need for research examining factors that enhance quality of life for older adults (QoL; Colby & Ortman, 2014). Changes in health, relationships, support systems, and social identity are inevitable throughout the lifespan. Therefore, research focused on lessening the negative effects of changes due to aging while also improving QoL is warranted. As such, the aim of the current research study was to examine the extent to which subjective age (SA; how old or young an individual feels), playfulness (PF; "the ability to frame or reframe everyday situations to experience them as entertaining, intellectually stimulating, and/or personally interesting" [Proyer, 2015, p. 93-94]), and depression (an emotional state ranging from mild discouragement to feelings of extreme despair [CDC, 2017; Corsini, 2002]) predict QoL ("a person's sense of well-being that stems from satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the areas of life that are important to him or her" [Ferrans, 1985, p. 15]) among adults over the age of 55. Using convenience sampling with eligibility requirements, adults (N = 1,315) 55 and older and who spoke and read English were surveyed both face-to-face (F2F) and online (e.g., Amazon Mechanical Turk and a senior educational program). Standard multiple regression was utilized, and results identified a statistically significant model with the variable of depression predicting the largest unique contribution to the model, while PF predicted a small, statistically significant contribution. Subjective age did not statistically contribute to the prediction. Implications from the findings that relate to counselors, counselor educators, and researchers are provided. In addition, the findings provide guidance and a new perspective on variables associated with QoL and aging adults.

The counseling profession requires its professionals to be ethically aware, culturally aware, and personally aware. Counselor Education departments strive to create environments that foster multicultural interactions and environments that provide sufficient safety for persons to be self-expressive and self-reflective. Such environments support the personal growth required to be effective counselors and agents of change. The purpose of this research was to measure the climate for sexual minorities in Counselor Education programs. Using the Climate for Sexual Minorities in Counselor Education Programs Survey (CSMCEPS) to collect information from faculty and graduate students, this research attempted to describe the level of acceptance across Counselor Education programs in North America. In addition, this research looked for (a) differences in responses based on geographic regions; (b) differences between the perceptions of sexual minority individuals and heterosexual individuals; and, (c) differences between faculty members? perceptions of the climate and graduate students? perceptions. In general, the results of this study showed that the climate for sexual minorities in counselor education programs was positive. The stance of the counseling profession would dictate that the outcome should have been positive and, as mentioned previously, there is evidence that self-selection biased the sample. Given the professions ethical stance and the bias of the sample, the results should have been overwhelmingly supportive and affirming of sexual minorities and this was not the case. The data indicated that the environment could only be considered mildly accepting, but should not be considered affirming. To answer the research questions around differences in responses based on demographic data there were several ANOVA completed. There were differences found between student and faculty responses and between institutions that are not funded by religious affiliation and those that are. There were no significant differences found between respondents who identified as sexual minorities and those who identified as non-sexual minorities. There were no significant differences based on regional differences nor were there differences based on CACREP accreditation. The lack of differences may be indicative of sample bias.

The call for mentorship in the counseling profession has recently become more prominent even though a comprehensive understanding of mentoring practices remains obscure. Researchers postulated that mentoring enhances students" professional development. Yet the frequency to which mentoring occurs and thus influences development is unknown due to the lack of empirical data. The purpose of this study was to examine mentorship, at the doctoral-level, in counselor education programs by identifying the following areas of mentoring: (a) structural components, (b) potential impact, and (c) important aspects. Personal experiences of 66 participants (sample of convenience) who were mentored as doctoral students were utilized. The quantitative and qualitative results of this study were obtained through the utilization of the General Mentoring Questions, Mentoring Function Scale, and a short answer (one-shot) question. Participants, representing 28 CACREP accredited programs, identified aspects in the psychosocial and career domains of mentoring. Statistically significant differences (p<.05) in the psychosocial domain (M = 4.30) indicated that more intense mentoring occurred when compared to the career domain (M = 3.97). Statistically significant differences were not found across variables of age, gender, and race. Participants qualitatively based responses to the most important aspect of their mentoring experiences assumed a more psychosocial orientation even when career-related functions were addressed. They were often encouraged, supported, respected, and protected while developing and/or enhancing teaching, research, service, and/or counseling based skills. Sentiments regarding the impact of the mentoring experiences on self-growth, self-confidence, and personal change were also expressed. Essentially, the participants" mentoring experiences seemed to reflect the counseling principles of relationship development and promotion of well-being and empowerment as well as adherence to professional ethics. It is important to note that these results, which provide a small glimpse to mentoring, cannot be generalized. Implications, however, can be drawn. Mentorship could potentially impact retention and graduation rates and promote professional continuity and identity. Obtaining a richer comprehension of mentorship is required and will most likely enable the profession to maximize practices in an effective and ethical manner, address acclimation, and ensure its longevity. / Ph. D.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.