Counseling Needs Among Sultan Qaboos University's Students in Light of Some Demographic Variables

Abstract

The current study aimed at examining the levels of counseling needs among Sultan Qaboos University's students; in addition to investigating the effects of some demographic variables on these levels. The study sample consisted of 1149 male and female students enrolled in both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The sample represented 6.76% of the study population. The study utilized the descriptive design as the questionnaire of "counseling needs of university students" was used to examine the level of four need dimensions: Academic, psychological, social, and familial. The study results revealed that the students had high levels of overall counseling needs. Moreover, academic and psychological counseling needs were high among the students; in contrast, social and familial counseling needs were low. Also, the results showed statistical significant differences in some dimensions of counseling needs based on some demographic variables which are the study cohort, students' living place, their GPA, the family economic status and mother's education level. On the other hand, other variables showed no statistical differences on the levels of counseling needs. The study suggested some recommendations that aim to urge the students to benefit from the student counseling center's services.