Ethical dilemmas experienced by counseling psychologists in Taiwan

Figures & data

Table 1. The demographics and professional background of study participants.

Characteristics	n	Percent (%)	Mean (SD)
Age	132		35.89 (9.51)
Years of service	132		5.24 (5.11)
Gender
Male	25	19%
Female	107	81%
Education
PhD	17	13%
Master	115	87%
Employment
University Counselling Center	56	42%
High, middle, or elementary school	43	32%
City/County Counselling Centre (Transferred casesfrom high, middle & elementary schools)	31	23%
Social/welfare institution	11	8%
Medical/community health center	8	6%
Private practitioner	6	4%

Table 2. Types of ethical dilemmas experienced by respondents.

Dilemma Category	n	% of Total	Subcategory
Mandatory reporting	35	26%	Sexual events & domestic violence (16%) Hurting self or others (10%)
Collaborating with education associates	24	18%	Teachers (16%) Other school staff (2%)
Interjecting by the authority in work settings	23	17%
Multiple relationships	13	10%
Keeping and releasing counseling information	12	9%
Misconduct of other counseling psychologists	11	8%
Maintaining professional standards & service quality	10	7%
Client’s right to autonomy	8	6%
Total dilemmas reported*	136

Note: *Four respondents reported two dilemmas.

Table 3. Survey participants’ responses to the ethical dilemmas encountered.

Type of Response	N	Percentage
Steering a middle course	50	37%
Upholding professional ethical standards	37	27%
No actions	25	18%
Seeking consultation (From senior counseling psychologists or deferring decision-making to superiors)	15	11%
Complying with mandatory reporting	9	7%
Total responses*	136	100%