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Manifestation of altruism: Perceptions among counselling students in the United Kingdom
Author(s) -
Swank Jacqueline M.,
Robinson Mike E.H.,
Ohrt Jonathan H.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1080/14733145.2011.562981
Subject(s) - altruism (biology) , religiosity , psychology , axial coding , spirituality , social psychology , coding (social sciences) , perception , qualitative research , medicine , sociology , social science , alternative medicine , pathology , neuroscience , grounded theory , theoretical sampling
Abstract Aims : The purpose of this study was to examine the applicability of a proposed model of the development of altruism, or unselfish caring for others, as perceived by counselling students in the UK. Method : Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight counsellors‐in‐training. The data analysis involved open coding, axial coding, and the development of a coding paradigm. Findings : The findings address the four factors (biological, cognitive, social learning, and religiosity/spirituality) proposed in the model. Additional themes included: (a) community development and sustainability, (b) altruism across the lifespan, and (c) the counselling profession. Implications : The findings suggest a relationship between altruism and counsellor success. This supports the integration of altruism within the counselling curriculum, as it relates to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework (2010). Furthermore, the findings support future research focused on altruism.