Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to measure the extent of specialized training and competence in family-based death and grief-related counseling among family counselors, and identify variables that predict counselor competence. A comprehensive measure of specialized competence was created. Variables measured and investigated in relation to competence included demographic information, personal death and grief-related experience, professional death and grief-related training and experience. and personal death competency. All survey items and instruments were implemented into an on-line survey. A sample of 147 family counselors participated in this study. Descriptive results indicated that the majority of participants reported moderate to high levels of perceived family death and grief-related counseling competence and personal death competency. However, the majority of participants rated their specialized death and grief-related training within their counselor preparation program as less than adequate. Factor analysis revealed four factors of family-death and grief-related counseling knowledge and skills-based competence: (1) advanced family grief counseling skills, (2) basic grief counseling skills, (3) developmental aspects of grief counseling, and (4) the ability to utilize resources in grief counseling. Additionally, factor analysis supported the previously hypothesized two subscales of Bugen's (1980-1981) Coping with Death Scale. which measured personal death competency, with some modifications. Structural equation modeling analyses indicated the following significant results consistent with hypotheses: (a) personal death and grief-related loss positively impacted family death and grief-related counseling personal competencies. (b) professional death and grief-related training and experience positively impacted family death and grief related counseling knowledge and skills-based competencies, (c) perceived adequacy of death and grief-related training positively impacted personal death competency, (d) family death and grief-related personal competencies positively impacted personal death competency, and (e) personal death competency positively impacted family death and grief-related counseling knowledge and skills. Study results suggest that family counselors who have participated in adequate specialized death and grief-related training experiences are more likely to cope well with personal issues related to death and dying, and have stronger knowledge and skills in counseling grieving families. Implications for further counseling research, training, and practice to continually improve counseling services offered to grieving clients are provided.
