The Influence of School-Based Family Counseling on Elementary Students and Their Families

Abstract

A family counseling intervention grounded in systemic family therapy was conducted in a Title I school-based setting with ( N = 48) kindergarten through sixth-grade student-clients and their primary caregivers. Families’ perception of family communication and satisfaction on the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-IV was investigated to determine changes in the percentile score at three benchmarks. A repeated measure analysis of variance indicated a statistically significant difference over time in caregivers’ perception of family communication and satisfaction after 5 and 10 weeks. There was no difference in relationship to gender. School-based family counseling programs can contribute to improved family communication and satisfaction. School-based counselors can partner with institutions of higher education to provide free and accessible counseling for students and families in the greatest need.

Contributing Factors of Willingness in Families Counseling among Low SES Parents' in Malaysia

“…As in Carr's (2018), study, family counseling is one of the alternative steps that are systematic as a support to the process of individuals and family members changing to achieve the goal of well-being in family life. Kelchner et al (2020), also provided an example of the school's success in improving academic performance and building the character of students when the school implements family counseling in the school setting. Family counseling that is able to affect the internal changes of a family system is definitely able to give a consistent reaction to changes in behavior, environment and overall sub-system action choices in the family system (Johnson & Ray, 2016).…”

“…So basic needs such as love, family acceptance and attention to their development are ignored and not met properly are among the factors that drag these children at risk of being involved in various social problems early in their lives (Nisa, 2021). Kelchner (2020) found that children with disturbed mental and emotional well-being tend to face disciplinary issues at school, are subjected to disciplinary actions such as suspension from school and punishment for various behavioral problems and have a high frequency of skipping school.…”