An Empowerment-Based Counseling Model for University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1) examine contemporary concepts, theories, and models of counseling; 2) analyze and synthesize key components of empowerment relevant to counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic; and 3) propose an empowerment-based counseling model for university students in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. This research employed a qualitative approach using documentary research and a systematic literature review. A total of 53 studies, published between 2019 and 2021, were identified from both national and international sources. These studies were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal framework. Ultimately, 29 high-quality studies were selected for content synthesis.

The research found that:

1. Contemporary counseling concepts, theories, and models emphasize a helping process grounded in interpersonal relationships, encompassing both individual and group counseling, and employing diverse strategies and techniques to facilitate behavioral change;
2. Key components of empowerment during the COVID-19 pandemic involve a process of restoring power and enhancing individual capacity, consisting of five stages: relationship building, problem identification, solution exploration, utilization of social resources, and autonomous decision-making; and
3. The proposed empowerment-based counseling model for university students, referred to as the ES Model, aligns with the fundamental principles of the social work profession and is derived from the synthesis of evidence based on the JBI framework.