Ethical Judgments of Counselors: Results From a Turkish Sample

SİVİŞ ÇETİNKAYA R.

ETHICS & BEHAVIOR, vol.25, no.5, pp.400-417, 2015 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 25 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/10508422.2014.941981
  • Journal Name: ETHICS & BEHAVIOR
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.400-417
  • Keywords: counseling ethics, ethical judgements, Turkish counselors, VALUE-BASED CONFLICTS, REHABILITATION COUNSELORS, CERTIFIED COUNSELORS, DUAL RELATIONSHIPS, NATIONAL SURVEY, CLIENTS, ISSUES, PSYCHOTHERAPY, PERCEPTIONS, THERAPISTS
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The present study examined the ethical judgements of Turkish counselors (N = 767) using a translation of the Gibson and Pope (1993) ethical judgements survey. Items predominantly judged as ethical and unethical, and group differences regarding gender, taking ethics as a course, professional affiliation, and level of academic degree, were investigated. Chi-square analysis, Fishers's exact test, and Fisher-Freeman-Halton tests were used in statistical analysis. Results revealed that participants predominantly judged breach of confidentiality in cases of child abuse and potential harm toward oneself or others as ethical. Items concerning sexual dual relationships were predominantly perceived as unethical, and male participants were more likely to judge items regarding sexual and nonsexual dual relationships as ethical. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.