Career development of male counseling psychology doctoral students: A qualitative analysis

Abstract

This study used a consensual qualitative research design to examine the way contextual, cultural, and personal variables influenced the training, career choice, and development of six male counseling psychology doctoral students in the U.S. and three in Turkey. Four domains of influence on the career decision-making process emerged: personal values, prior experience, family obligations, and role models. Experiences in the program were characterized by rejection of gender minority status, intersectionality of several different identities, perceived privilege as a male, meaning of masculinity, and role navigation. Participants also described factors that facilitated their training, such as having faculty who endorsed less traditional gender role beliefs and allies in the program. Cross-cultural differences and similarities between U.S. and Turkish participants were also found. Implications for training program faculty and male counseling psychologists in training are discussed.

Study Questions

The core questions asked in the qualitative interviews are listed below. Probes (in bullets) were asked if the participants did not provide the information desired initially.

Introductory Script

There is a great deal of research that examines women’s experiences in non-traditional occupations, but we know less about men’s experiences in non-traditional (i.e., female-dominated) fields. Psychology has become female-dominated, and we are interested in examining the male doctoral students’ experiences in counseling psychology programs by exploring how gender identity influences a man’s work as a counseling psychologist, and how the experience of being male frames his career trajectory toward becoming a counseling psychologist. Please think of any activity (clinical work, research, assistantship, any departmental work) as a counseling psychologist (trainee) you are involved in when you answer these questions.

• 1. How did you choose Counseling Psychology as your profession?

• What was the decision-making process? Was it deliberate?

• What influences helped or challenged your decision?

• What factors made it more difficult or easier?

• How would you describe your satisfaction within your counseling program?

• Is your level of satisfaction influenced positively or negatively by your gender identity?

• Did you have any role models that contributed to the decision to enter counseling psychology professionally?

• What are your future career aspirations?

• 2. What is your experience of the atmosphere in your department as a male?

• What would you estimate is the percentage of male students in your program overall?

• How many male faculty members are in your program?

• How many counseling psychology classes have you been in where you feel like you belong to a minority in terms of your gender?

  • Any other courses where you feel like a gender minority?

• How would you describe the feeling of being a gender minority in your classes?

• How is your relationship with the faculty, and is it influenced by being male?

• How are the relationships among students, and are yours influenced by being male?

• Who would you identify as allies of men’s issues in your department?

  • What role do they play?

• Have you heard about any incivility towards men in your program?

• 3. What does it feel like to be a male in the field of counseling psychology?

• Have you ever felt marginalized as a male?

  • If so, have you received any support?

• How do you think your gender affects your experiences in the field of Counseling Psychology?

  • 3.1 Privilege—do you see any privilege as a male in the field of counseling psychology? Or general privilege that you are aware of in your life?

• 4. Based on the previous responses, how is that congruent with your sense of gender identity/masculinity?

• What does masculinity mean to you?

• 5. Navigating other roles

• Can you talk about the costs and benefits of your individual styles of masculinity inside and outside of school?

• 6. Social support/barriers

• Can you talk about how your relationship status (e.g., being single, having a partner, having children) influences your experience in your program?

• Does your spirituality or religion play a role in your support system?

• How have friends, family, and loved ones reacted to your decision to become a counseling psychologist?

• Who are the trusted others who support you? How do they support you?

• What kind of events, people, and situations have made it more difficult for you to become a counseling psychologist?

• Is there anything else you would like to describe about being a male in the field of Counseling Psychology?

Demographic questions

• 1. What is your age?

• 2. What is your gender?

• 3. What is your sexual orientation?

• 4. Please identify your racial and ethnic background.

• 5. Relationship Status?

• 6. Socioeconomic Status?

Is there anything else you think I should know regarding this that we have not already discussed?

Can we contact you if we need further clarification?

Thank you so much for your cooperation. We really appreciate your input.