Mental Health Professionals' Views on Providing Online Counseling within the Scope of UTAUT Model: A Q Method Analysis

Year 2024, Volume: 53 Issue: 1, 423 - 457, 30.04.2024

Seher Merve Erus , Ebru Çanakçı Uğur

https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1421214

Abstract

Online counseling, an intervention that has evolved alongside technological advancements and become integrated into individuals' lives, has gained even more popularity. At this point, it is essential to investigate the acceptance and usage of online counseling by mental health professionals. This research was conducted with 35 mental health professionals (psychologists and counsellors) who provide both online and face-to-face counseling. In the study, Q methodology was used to better understand the subjective thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs of participants to understand their behaviors regarding the acceptance and use of online counseling according to the UTAUT model. As a result of the research, it was found that factors related to the acceptance and usage of online counseling were grouped into two factors for mental health professionals. The research findings indicate that mental health professionals are grouped into two factors regarding factors related to the acceptance and utilization of online counseling. It has been observed that performance expectations and facilitating conditions influence the acceptance and utilization of online counseling for participants in Factor 1, while effort expectations and facilitating conditions influence the behavior of acceptance and utilization for participants in Factor 2. Additionally, it was found that mental health professionals in Factor 1 have a more positive attitude towards online counseling, whereas those in the second group prefer face-to-face counseling over online counseling.

Keywords

Online counselling, Mental health professionals, UTAUT model, Q methodology

UTAUT Model Kapsamında Ruh Sağlığı Çalışanlarının Çevrim İçi Psikolojik Danışma Vermeye Yönelik Görüşleri: Bir Q Metod Analizi

Abstract

Çevrim içi psikolojik danışma, teknolojik gelişmelerle birlikte gelişen ve bireylerin hayatlarına entegre olan bir müdahaledir. Bu noktada çevrim içi psikolojik danışma hizmeti veren ruh sağlığı çalışanlarının çevrim içi psikolojik danışmayı kabul ve kullanımlarını araştırmak oldukça önemlidir. Bu araştırma, çevrim içi ve yüz yüze psikolojik danışma hizmeti veren 35 ruh sağlığı çalışanı (psikolog ve psikolojik danışman) ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada UTAUT modeline göre katılımcıların çevrim içi psikolojik danışmayı kabul ve kullanma davranışlarını anlamak için öznel düşüncelerinin, tutumlarının ve inançlarının daha iyi anlaşılmasını sağlayan Q metodolojiden yararlanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda çevrim içi psikolojik danışma kabul ve kullanımıyla ilgili faktörlerde ruh sağlığı çalışanlarının iki faktörde gruplandığı tespit edilmiştir. Faktör 1’deki katılımcılar için performans beklentisinin ve kolaylaştırıcı koşulların; Faktör 2’deki katılımcılar için ise çaba beklentisinin ve kolaylaştırıcı koşulların, çevrim içi psikolojik danışmayı kabul ve kullanma davranışlarını etkilediği görülmüştür. Ayrıca Faktör 1’deki ruh sağlığı çalışanlarının çevrim içi psikolojik danışma konusunda daha olumlu bir tutuma sahip olduğu; ikinci gruptaki ruh sağlığı çalışanlarının ise yüz yüze psikolojik danışmayı çevrim içi psikolojik danışmaya tercih ettikleri tespit edilmiştir.

Keywords

Çevrim içi psikolojik danışma, Ruh sağlığı çalışanları, UTAUT model, Q metodoloji

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