WHISPERS FROM COUNSELORS to CLIENTS: CULTURAL ASPECTS of SELF-DISCLOURE

Yıl 2020, Sayı: 3, 78 - 85, 28.05.2020

Desen Yalım Fevziye Dolunay Cuğ

Öz

Self-disclosure may be presented in many forms and serves many purposes as when and how it is used depends on the counselor’s theoretical orientation. Existing literature includes several discussions on the use and content of self-disclosure but the studies exploring self-discussion in our culture is relatively limited. Therefore, this study aimed to examine self-disclosure from counselors’ perspectives in the cultural context. This study is qualitative in nature. By sending through emails, 12 volunteer counselors were interviewed. Each participant was asked to fill a questionnaire consist of open-ended questions and a demographic form. Additionally, a case was presented and the participants were asked whether or not they would disclose and how they would intervene. A descriptive and content data analysis procedure was utilized. As a result, participants seemed to accept self-disclosure as convenient to our culture by emphasizing Turkish people’s needs of “dertleşmek” (having a heart to heart talk) when having difficulty in their life. When participants asked about the cultural appropriateness of self-disclosure, nearly all of them responded that it is appropriate to the culture. Results and implications are discussed in the context of our culture.

Anahtar Kelimeler

self-disclosure, counseling, culture

WHISPERS FROM COUNSELORS to CLIENTS: CULTURAL ASPECTS of SELF-DISCLOURE

Öz

Self-disclosure may be presented
in many forms and serves many purposes as when and how it is used depends on
the counselor’s theoretical orientation. Existing literature includes several
discussions on the use and content of self-disclosure but the studies exploring
self-discussion in our culture is relatively limited. Therefore, this study
aimed to examine self-disclosure from counselors’ perspectives in the cultural
context. This study is qualitative in nature. By sending through emails, 12
volunteer counselors were interviewed. Each participant was asked to fill a
questionnaire consist of open-ended questions and a demographic form.
Additionally, a case was presented and the participants were asked whether or
not they would disclose and how they would intervene. A descriptive and content
data analysis procedure was utilized. As a result, participants seemed to
accept self-disclosure as convenient to our culture by emphasizing Turkish
people’s needs of “dertleşmek” (having a heart to heart talk) when having
difficulty in their life. When participants asked about the cultural
appropriateness of self-disclosure, nearly all of them responded that it is
appropriate to the culture. Results and implications are discussed in the
context of our culture.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Self-Disclosure, Counseling, Culture

Kaynakça

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