The Wall Between School and Home: Impact of Parental Attitudes on Counseling

ALTINIŞIK M. S., ŞANLI E.

Çocuk ve Gençlik Psikolojisi Dergisi, cilt.2, sa.2, ss.123-154, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

This study aims to examine in depth the perceptions and experiences of school counselors regarding challenging and dysfunctional parental attitudes. A qualitative research method was adopted, employing a phenomenological design. Nineteen school counselors working in Türkiye, aged between 24 and 52, were recruited through purposive sampling, with snowball (chain-referral) procedures used to identify eligible participants. The findings were grouped under five main themes: “Awareness and Knowledge Level,” “Experience,” “Effects on Students,” “Effects on School Counseling Services,” and “Evaluation of Coping Strategies.” Prominent parental profiles included overprotective, denying, constantly anxious, uncooperative, overly demanding, perfectionist, and indifferent parents. Participants perceived these attitudes as negatively affecting students’ academic, social, and psychological development and as hindering counseling processes, student communication, and the functioning of guidance services. The study contributes to the development of coping strategies for school counselors in dealing with challenging parental attitudes and to the improvement of the quality of school counseling services.