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CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Across the professional lifespan: comparing the workforce trends of early career and established counselling psychologists in South Africa
Counselling psychology quarterly
2024
Abstract
Counselling Psychologists (CPs) constitute a considerable proportion of psychologists in South Africa (SA), yet empirical knowledge on this workforce remains limited. Furthermore, changes within this workforce overtime have not been thoroughly examined. This study compares early career (<10 years) and established (>10 years) CPs relating to demographic characteristics, work settings, professional roles and activities, career satisfaction, and perspectives on efforts to demarcate the practice of CPs in SA. A total of 512 survey responses were analysed, with 39% representing early career CPs and 61% representing established CPs. Findings reveal significant differences between early career and established CPs across several domains, including age, race, geographic location, highest professional degree, languages spoken; current job-seeking status; satisfaction with income, employment opportunities, work-life balance and primary work settings; likelihood of emigration; and supervision frequency and format. Overall, the results suggest movement towards transformation within the CP profession in SA. Nevertheless, systemic issues continue to hinder the optimal utilisation and equitable distribution of CPs within the country. Advocacy and ongoing workforce analysis is thus essential to support, retain, and effectively utilise CPs as a valuable resource, especially in light of the ongoing debates surrounding the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system in SA.
Details
- Title
- Across the professional lifespan: comparing the workforce trends of early career and established counselling psychologists in South Africa
- Authors/Creators
- Charles Young - Murdoch University, School of PsychologyPhillipa Haine - Rhodes UniversityDuane D Booysen - Rhodes University
- Publication Details
- Counselling psychology quarterly
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Identifiers
- 991005688469207891
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Psychology
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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