Effects of the Buddhist Peer Counseling Program on Youth Counseling Competencies

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) To study the concepts, theories, and development of counseling competencies of youth counselors based on psychological principles and Buddhist principles 2) To develop a program to enhance counseling competencies according to the Buddhist psychological approach of youth counselors 3) To experiment and present the outcomes of the program to enhance counseling competencies according to the Buddhist psychological approach of youth counselors. The mixed methods research combined qualitative approaches and quasi-experimental research. The key informants consisted of 9 qualified individuals and 36 students, divided into
an experimental group and a control group of 18 students each. The data were analyzed using content analysis, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and a paired t-test. The research revealed that 1) the psychological concepts applied to the development of students' counseling competencies included characteristics of youth counselors, knowledge about counseling, attitude towards counseling, and counseling skills with significant principle for promoting was using the psychology of peer groups 2) The development program integrates psychological concepts, counseling processes, and Buddhist principles based on the Four Noble Truths and Buddhist counseling skills under the program called "Tweens 'Friend of heart" which consisted of 16 activities, each lasting
60-120 minutes, conducted 4 times over a period of 3 months and 3) the Buddhist Peer Counseling Program on Youth Counseling Competencies was significantly higher after participating in the program and after the follow-up period, compared to before the training, at the .05 significance level. Additionally, after the training, the experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group at the .05 significance level."