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Title

Certified Rehabilitation Counselors' Knowledge, Stigma, and Self-Efficacy in Working with Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Creator

Tseng, Yen Chun

Date

2023

Description

Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs) are professionals who are responsible for supporting the rights and independence of people with...
Show moreCertified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs) are professionals who are responsible for supporting the rights and independence of people with disabilities. They provide services such as mental health counseling, vocational counseling, advocacy, and psychoeducation to people with disabilities. Suicide prevention and safety education are within the scope of services provided by CRCs as well. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), one of the strongest risk factors for suicide attempts (Franklin et al., 2017; Kiekens et al., 2018), has received more attention as people with disabilities have elevated risk to engage in such behaviors (Coduti et al., 2016). NSSI refers to the socially unacceptable behavior causing intentional and direct injury to one’s own body tissue without conscious suicidal intent (Nock & Favazza, 2009). As the prevalence of NSSI increases, it is likely that in their professional tenure, CRCs will interact with clients who have engaged in NSSI. It is within CRCs scope of practice to advocate at individual, group, institutional, and societal levels to promote opportunity and access, improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities (Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, [CRCC], 2023). However, few studies have explored CRCs’ training, stigma, and self- efficacy when working with NSSI. The purpose of this study was to explore the nature and extent of NSSI training received by CRCs, CRCs’ stigma towards individuals engaging in NSSI, and factors associated with CRCs’ self-efficacy for working with clients with NSSI. CRCs practicing in the United States participated in the study (N = 91). Less than half of the participants reported that they received NSSI training in the past. In addition, they demonstrated some knowledge of NSSI while holding some misconceptions of NSSI at the same time. In addition, CRCs reported generally positive attitudes toward NSSI. Predictors examined in the study included training, knowledge, familiarity, and attitudes toward individuals engaged in NSSI while controlling for participants’ age and gender. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze whether these factors were associated with self-efficacy to work with clients with NSSI. Results indicated that training and stigma (helping attitude) were significant predictors of CRCs’ self-efficacy for working with clients experiencing NSSI. Additionally, the variance in self-efficacy was accounted for by NSSI training and stigma. CRCs who received NSSI training in the past reported more positive attitudes and perceived themselves as more capable to work with clients who engaged in NSSI. This study is among the few to examine specific factors impacting CRCs’ self-efficacy in working NSSI. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
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