TPC-Journal-V4-Issue5

The Professional Counselor \Volume 4, Issue 5 528 Limitations There were a number of limitations in this study that limit generalization and call for additional research. First, the sample in this study was a convenience sample; the majority of the participants were from one high school, also limiting the generalizability of the results. Second, the two high schools are similar to each other in that they are top-ranking high schools in Beijing, and their students have similar future plans. Therefore, the results of this study may not apply to other geographic areas in China, especially rural areas, because a difference exists in educational conditions between economically developed areas (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) and underdeveloped areas (e.g., rural areas in West China). Students from different geographical areas in China may encounter different mental health problems, and the development of school counseling in urban and rural China may be different (Yan, 2003). The position of school counselor may not even exist in some areas in China. Third, the sample lacks diversity in terms of gender and grade level. Most of the participants in this study were female students and senior 2 students. Gender may be a variable that influences how students perceive counseling and school counselors. Future research utilizing more diverse and larger samples from across the country will be able to provide a more detailed and general picture of school counseling in high schools across China. Lastly, the instrument used in this study was adapted from an instrument that was developed several decades ago. Although some modifications were made, the validity and reliability of the scale used for Chinese students are not clear at this time. Future studies may investigate the validity and reliability of this instrument and also develop new instruments that are specially designed to measure students’ perceptions of Chinese school counselors’ effectiveness, competence, expertise and contributions. Conflict of Interest and Funding Disclosure The authors reported no conflict of interest or funding contributions for the development of this manuscript. References Chang, D. F., & Kleinman, A. (2002). Growing pains: Mental health care in developing China. Yale-China Health Studies Journal , 1 , 85–98. Cook, A. L., Lei, A., & Chiang, D. (2010). Counseling in China: Implications for counselor education preparation and distance learning instruction. Journal for International Counselor Education , 2 , 60–73. Corbin Dwyer, S., & McNaughton, K. (2004). Perceived needs of educational administrators for student services offices in a Chinese context: School counselling programs addressing the needs of children and teachers. School Psychology International , 25 , 373–382. doi:10.1177/0143034304046908 Cyranoski, D. (2010). China tackles surge in mental illness. Nature , 468 , 145. doi:10.1038/468145a Davey, G., & Zhao, X. (2012, November). Counseling in China. Therapy Today , 23 (9), 12–17. Ding, Y., Kuo, Y.-L., & Van Dyke, D. C. (2008). School psychology in China (PRC), Hong Kong, and Taiwan: A cross- regional perspective. School Psychology International , 29 , 529–548. doi:10.1177/0143034308099200 Draper, M. R., Jennings, J., Baron, A., Erdur, O., & Shankar, L. (2002). Time-limited counseling outcome in a nationwide college counseling center sample. Journal of College Counseling , 5 , 26–38. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1882.2002. tb00204.x Fei, X. (2006, October 16). The cause of and solution for mental diseases in China. The Epoch Times. Retrieved from http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/6-10-16/47113.html Gao, X., Jackson, T., Chen, H., Liu, Y., Wang, R., Qian, M., & Huang, X. (2010). There is a long way to go: A nationwide survey of professional training for mental health practitioners in China. Health Policy ,  95 , 74–81. doi:10.1016/j.