This book explores the relationships between
individualism and collectivism and attitudes towards
counselling among ethnic Chinese, Australian, and
American university students. East Asian
international students under-utilise Western
universities counselling services. The Western
concept of counselling reflects Western cultural
values, in particular individualism. Thus the
reluctance of international students from more
collectivistic cultures to seek counselling services
may in part be due to a clash of cultural values.
This book is based on a study that found a general
lack of knowledge about university counselling
services even among those participants who were
familiar with counselling as a concept. Participants
expressed reservations about seeking counselling due
to concerns of being seen by friends. This was
particularly true for the Chinese. This book should
appeal to university policy-makers and professional
counsellors who are responsible for meeting the
needs of the international students. It also has
implications for counsellor education programs in
recognising the link between cultural variables and
client expectations.
individualism and collectivism and attitudes towards
counselling among ethnic Chinese, Australian, and
American university students. East Asian
international students under-utilise Western
universities counselling services. The Western
concept of counselling reflects Western cultural
values, in particular individualism. Thus the
reluctance of international students from more
collectivistic cultures to seek counselling services
may in part be due to a clash of cultural values.
This book is based on a study that found a general
lack of knowledge about university counselling
services even among those participants who were
familiar with counselling as a concept. Participants
expressed reservations about seeking counselling due
to concerns of being seen by friends. This was
particularly true for the Chinese. This book should
appeal to university policy-makers and professional
counsellors who are responsible for meeting the
needs of the international students. It also has
implications for counsellor education programs in
recognising the link between cultural variables and
client expectations.