Interview Survey of Counselor Responses to Utilize Relationships with Parents for Student Support

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate effective strategies for counselors to utilize parental involvement to support students. Interviews with 10 counselors at student counseling organizations were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. The results indicate that counselors should carefully deal with parents as individuals, not just as parents, to help parents understand and support their children effectively. Counselors also worked to structure their support to avoid excessive focus on parents’ personal issues, ensuring that the sup-port was student-centered. We found that once trustful relationships have been established between parents and counselors, and parents have begun to show empathy toward students, direct intervention by counselors in the behavior and communication between parents and children becomes important. These strategies could improve parent-child relationships and enhance support for students. However, some parents struggle to adopt their children’s perspectives. Therefore, counselors should assess the potential of parents as a means of support and clarify the objectives of their involvement with parents.