Abstracts Psychology

Examining factors that facilitate and encourage research activity in female counselling psychologists

by Tirandeep Kaur Takhar

Studies have found limited numbers of female counselling psychologists producing and disseminating research despite these being key components of the scientist-practitioner model, which has significant consequences on the individual’s career progression and the field’s growth within the wider scientific context. Research has primarily focused on barriers to such engagement. The present study aims to identify the factors that have promoted and could facilitate research activity in female counselling psychologists based on research experiences within this demographic. Doing so provides insight that could increase research accessibility for female counselling psychologists. Eight female counselling psychologists with previous experience in research engagement took part in semi-structured interviews that were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. A positive psychology theoretical framework underpinned the investigation to focus on facilitating and motivating factors. The analysis identified three themes: 1. ‘Fulfilling One’s Counselling Psychology Identity when Engaging with Research’ whereby research engagement was considered an integral component of assimilating with the scientist-practitioner value and consequent development. 2. ‘Bridging the Gap between Subjectivity and Research Activity’ highlight the personal factors that research engagement fulfilled and the qualities that have supported participants through the research process and dissemination. 3. ‘Responsive Environment Towards Developing Female Counselling Psychologists’ Research Attitudes and Activity’ emphasised the need for support from multiple agencies in diverse ways to promote, motivate, and sustain women’s research activity. In conclusion, the study identified that a combination of individual and environmental factors contributes to the initiation and sustainment of female counselling psychologists’ research engagement. These findings are consistent with those in science, technology engineering, maths, and medicine (STEMM) professions, though have greater implications for this field given its nature and demographics. Identifying facilitating factors from the in-group’s experiences could encourage female counselling psychologists’ research attitudes and activity through the knowledge gained and visibility of research achievability and success.