Papers by Kyoung Mi Choi
The Professional Counselor (TPC) , 2023
This study, using a transcendental phenomenological approach, explored the perceptions and experi... more This study, using a transcendental phenomenological approach, explored the perceptions and experiences of school counselor trainees participating in a self-care course grounded in mindfulness and social-emotional learning. Seven students who enrolled in a master's-level school counseling program and completed a summer self-care course shared their experiences, leading to the identification of five key themes: (a) recognizing the importance and need for self-care, (b) cultivating a nonjudgmental mindset toward challenging emotions, (c) integrating self-care into both personal and professional settings, (d) an increase in compassion and empowerment, and (e) a commitment to ongoing learning and advocacy. The school counselor trainees' narratives highlight the importance of self-care as a way to reclaim power within themselves and become change agents in their school communities.
The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 2016
This research study used qualitative phenomenological methodology to explore counseling graduate ... more This research study used qualitative phenomenological methodology to explore counseling graduate students’ experiences leading support groups for international students. Participants included 6 master’s-level counseling students. The following 4 themes emerged to describe the counseling students’ experience as group leaders: (a) individualistic view of cultural knowing, (b) collective cultural knowledge building, (c) cultural awareness, and (d) sense of cultural agency. Implications for group work and counselor training are discussed.
International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 2022
Korean cross-cultural kids (CCKs) are born in Korea but grow up interacting with two or more cult... more Korean cross-cultural kids (CCKs) are born in Korea but grow up interacting with two or more cultures. In this study, the researchers conducted a survey of 398 Korean CCKs who attended primary and secondary schools in Asia and North America to identify types of acculturation developed. Instruments used were the East Asian Acculturation Measure, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Korean version of the Youth Self-Report. Cluster analysis yielded four acculturation types: integration dominant, assimilation dominant, separation dominant, and conflicting. The assimilation dominant type was pervasive among students in North America, whereas the separation dominant type was prevalent among students living in Asia. Regarding cultural adaptation, students with the conflicting acculturation type showed the lowest cultural adaptation, and the Asian students' psychological adaptation level was found to be lower than the North American students' level. Suggestions are offered for future researchers and helping professionals better understand the adjustment difficulties experienced by CCKs and inform adequate psychological support for them. The number of individuals and families transitioning from one country to another has rapidly grown since the beginning of the 20th century due to innovative technology, the development of the world economy, and advanced transportation (Melton, 2005; Pollock & Van Reken, 2009). In South Korea, more middle and high school students have been moving overseas to study abroad or accompany their parents, who are often military personnel, missionaries, international educators, and others (Moon, Yim, & Yun, 2009). Because of sociocultural and environmental adjustments from the home to host culture, these students typically share certain characteristics, such as cross-cultural communication skills,
Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 2021
We used a phenomenological approach to explore 12 sexual minority Korean college students' coming... more We used a phenomenological approach to explore 12 sexual minority Korean college students' coming out experiences. Emergent themes from in-depth interviews included (a) expression of universal needs, (b) awareness of sociocultural violence, (c) coping strategies, and (d) cocreating an inclusive culture. These four themes characterize interactions of sociocultural factors, such as gender norms, sexual prejudice, and education with sexual identity development. Findings provide an understanding of the importance of developing effective and empowering strategies for counseling.
The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of Counseling and Professional Psychology, 2017
Appalachian clients are often 'invisible' within the majority culture and possess characteristics... more Appalachian clients are often 'invisible' within the majority culture and possess characteristics unique to the region that must be considered within the counseling relationship (Tang & Russ, 2007). Individuals in Appalachia have higher incidences of certain mental health disorders and substance use as compared to the national average (Appalachian Regional Commission [ARC], 2008). Although the need for mental health services is evident, limited research exists to inform mental health professionals how to deliver culturally competent interventions to build a working alliance with Appalachian clients. The authors will discuss a framework for mental health professionals to develop a strong working alliance through a review of the cultural distinctions of Appalachian individuals, culturally appropriate counseling interventions, and a case illustration.
The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of Counseling and Professional Psychology, 2017
Mental health issues are on the rise on college campuses (Gallagher & American College Counseling... more Mental health issues are on the rise on college campuses (Gallagher & American College Counseling Association, [ACCA], 2014). Residence life professionals are often first responders to these issues. College counselors are in a unique position to support these professionals by (a) preparing the residence environment, (b) planning and providing programming on mental health issues, (c) using basic crisis skills, and (d) making referrals. This paper will provide college counselors with the rationale, benefits, and processes for supporting residence life professionals to be mental health first responders. Preparing Mental Health First Responders: College Counselors Supporting Residence Life Professionals As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, the prevalence and severity of mental health issues among college students continues to escalate (Gallagher & American College Counseling Association, [ACCA], 2014). These mental health issues frequently come to the attention of residence life professionals (i.e., resident assistants, resident directors), who are often advised of a resident's mental health issues either via self-report or by a concerned roommate or friend. Furthermore, because these residence life professionals are not licensed mental health professionals, college counselors may be able to facilitate education, information, and instruction; specifically, the knowledge of how to identify and respond to mental health issues and situations in residence halls. This collaboration between college counselors and residence life professionals may provide an adequate and prudent response to the escalating mental health crisis on college campuses. While 37.1% of college and university students currently live in campus residence halls (American College Health Association, 2016), an anticipated increase in enrollment is expected to rise by 14% by 2025 (National Center for Education Statistics, 2016). In addition, residence life professionals are expected to manage a college population characterized by approximately three in every eight college students reporting feeling depressed indicated by difficulty functioning at some time over the past year (American College Health Association [ACHA],
Using phenomenological approaches, the author explored the meanings and
essences of a cross-cultu... more Using phenomenological approaches, the author explored the meanings and
essences of a cross-cultural immersion experience in South Africa among
counseling master’s-level students. Five core themes—the meaning of being
American, sociopolitical awareness, engagement with South Africans and their
communities, appreciation of life, and commitment to change—characterized
the development of critical consciousness (Freire, 1973, 2000). Findings
support positive influences of cross-cultural immersion as an experiential
pedagogical method for multicultural development.
College third culture kids’ (TCKs’) perceptions about the characteristics of closest
friends were... more College third culture kids’ (TCKs’) perceptions about the characteristics of closest
friends were examined using a Q-methodology. Fifteen female college TCKs participated
in the study. Three distinctive factor groups emerged representing three different
patterns of characteristics of closest friends among the participants: the Socially
Connected group (friend as playmate), the Emotionally Connected group (friend as
nurturer and complement) and the Functionally Connected group (friend as resource).
The findings of the current study have yielded important clinical and educational implications for higher education. Findings partially support earlier research conducted on this population but portray more within-group heterogeneity than has been reported
elsewhere.
A phenomenological qualitative approach was used to explore the experiences of six Third Culture ... more A phenomenological qualitative approach was used to explore the experiences of six Third Culture Kid (TCK) participants regarding their early adult friendships at one midsize university in the United States. The term TCK refers to a person who has spent a significant amount of his or her childhood outside of his or her own country and culture of origin and who has assimilated these cultures into a third culture. TCK participants identified making friends as the most challenging issue in their adjustment to the United States. Four themes emerged from the participants’ narratives, with four illustrative metaphors drawn from the participants’ own words to describe the psychosocial phenomenon related to forming their friendships, including (a) a sense of restlessness: a square peg trying to fit into a round hole, (b) a desire for stimulation: being halfway there, (c) coping strategies to compensate or manage the lack of friendships: filling the void, and (d) multiple identities and multiculturalism: being chameleon-like. The findings suggest that the notion of friendship may need to be reconstructed when applied to TCKs who described distinctive social and cultural experiences that were influenced by frequent multicultural transitions.
This article reviews using closed group Facebook pages as a social network to create a pedagogica... more This article reviews using closed group Facebook pages as a social network to create a pedagogical space where counseling students communicate, share resources, and develop cultural sensitivity. The Facebook pages were incorporated into the counseling core course (16 weeks) and the class consisted of four phases: (1) preparation and development of rapport; (2) sharing resources and reviewing key concepts; (3) increasing self-awareness and developing reflective skills; and (4) interfacing of two cultures crossing geographical boundaries. The main goals of the authors were to examine the possibility to build a virtual community through the closed group Facebook pages to interact with counseling students and educators across geographical boundaries and to open an avenue to discuss the important ethical and cross-cultural considerations when Facebook is applied in counselor education.
The concept of globalization elicits a wide range of reactions among the public, policy makers, a... more The concept of globalization elicits a wide range of reactions among the public, policy makers, and academics). Increased understanding of globalization can help counselors recognize their influential role as one of the few groups of professionals that operate in schools, mental health, and career counseling settings. Because the consequences of globalization impact every aspect of life, counselors have a responsibility to understand globalization systemically, including how it impacts the practice of counseling and how to help their clients function effectively in the context of globalization. In this article, which is intended
This study investigated the relations of acculturation stress, the time of
leaving Korea, social ... more This study investigated the relations of acculturation stress, the time of
leaving Korea, social support, school adjustment, psychological well-being
and anxiety/depression by examining Korean CCKs(Cross-Culture Kids)
who has lived in- or meaningfully interacted with- two or more cultural
environments for more than 6 months. The subjects in this study were 398
CCKs who live in foreign countries, which includes 169 and 229 adolescents
living in the North America and Asia respectively. SEM(Structure Equation
Modeling) was used to address the research questions. The result revealed
that social support significantly influenced on acculturation and stress,
anxiety/depression negatively, while influencing on school adjustment and
psychological well-being positively. In addition, the time of leaving Korea
significantly influenced on acculturation and stress positively, while
influencing on school adjustment and psychological well-being negatively.
The acculturation stress was identified as a mediator in the influence of the
time of leaving and social support on school adjustment, psychological
well-being, and anxiety/depression. In particular, the structural relationship
was different in the residence area between Western countries and Eastern
countries. Effective counseling and educational interventions for facilitating
the CCK’s adjustment were discussed based on the results and implication
for future research was also suggested.
Books by Kyoung Mi Choi
Choi, K. (2014). Individuals with transcultural identity: Global nomads. In B. T. Erford (Ed.), T... more Choi, K. (2014). Individuals with transcultural identity: Global nomads. In B. T. Erford (Ed.), Transforming the school counseling profession (2nd ed.)(pp. 371-372). Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
In L. R. Jackson-Cherry & B. T. Erford (Ed.), Crisis assessment, intervention, and prevention (2nd ed.)(pp. 290-291). Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall., 2013
Choi, K. (2013). Collaboration in the midst of a campus crisis. In L. R. Jackson-Cherry & B. T. E... more Choi, K. (2013). Collaboration in the midst of a campus crisis. In L. R. Jackson-Cherry & B. T. Erford (Ed.), Crisis assessment, intervention, and prevention (2nd ed.)(pp. 290-291). Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
This study investigates the characteristics of the closest friends of female college students att... more This study investigates the characteristics of the closest friends of female college students attending college in the U.S. among three groups - U.S., international, and third culture college students. A Q methodology was used to examine the perceptions of 45 female college students by sorting 45 statements expressing various opinions about the individual and behavioral characteristics of their closest friends. As a result, three distinctive factor groups emerged: the Socially Connected group (friend as playmate), the Emotionally Connected group (friend as nurturer), and the Functionally Connected group (friend as resource). The majority of college third culture kids were identified with the Functionally Connected friendship type, which was characterized as being responsible, intelligent, independent, and creative and less characterized as being physically attractive or easy-going. On the other hand, most of U.S. and international students were identified with either the Socially Connected friendship type, characterized as being easy-going, out-going, social, and energetic or the Emotionally Connected friendship type, characterized as being honest, loyal, accepting, supportive, and intimate. The findings of the current study offer important educational insights about the differences and similarities of socialization preferences and friendship patterns among diverse college populations.
Teaching Documents by Kyoung Mi Choi
Translation of the Competencies for Counseling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgendered (LGBT) Clie... more Translation of the Competencies for Counseling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgendered (LGBT) Clients (English to Korean)
Op-Ed by Kyoung Mi Choi
Yes! Magazine, 2021
“ We all have a story to share, and I believe knowing someone’s story creates connection. That’s ... more “ We all have a story to share, and I believe knowing someone’s story creates connection. That’s why coming out connects us, not threatens us.”
There was a time when coming out was the worst thing I could imagine doing to my Asian family. I was terrified to bring shame, guilt, and dishonor to them, to burden them with my truth. Even the thought of telling my family who I was made me feel very selfish. I told myself that I was silent about my sexual orientation to protect the family from judgment and discrimination. So instead of sharing my confusion and the struggles of exploring my sexual orientation, I distanced myself from the people, places, and things I loved…
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Papers by Kyoung Mi Choi
essences of a cross-cultural immersion experience in South Africa among
counseling master’s-level students. Five core themes—the meaning of being
American, sociopolitical awareness, engagement with South Africans and their
communities, appreciation of life, and commitment to change—characterized
the development of critical consciousness (Freire, 1973, 2000). Findings
support positive influences of cross-cultural immersion as an experiential
pedagogical method for multicultural development.
friends were examined using a Q-methodology. Fifteen female college TCKs participated
in the study. Three distinctive factor groups emerged representing three different
patterns of characteristics of closest friends among the participants: the Socially
Connected group (friend as playmate), the Emotionally Connected group (friend as
nurturer and complement) and the Functionally Connected group (friend as resource).
The findings of the current study have yielded important clinical and educational implications for higher education. Findings partially support earlier research conducted on this population but portray more within-group heterogeneity than has been reported
elsewhere.
leaving Korea, social support, school adjustment, psychological well-being
and anxiety/depression by examining Korean CCKs(Cross-Culture Kids)
who has lived in- or meaningfully interacted with- two or more cultural
environments for more than 6 months. The subjects in this study were 398
CCKs who live in foreign countries, which includes 169 and 229 adolescents
living in the North America and Asia respectively. SEM(Structure Equation
Modeling) was used to address the research questions. The result revealed
that social support significantly influenced on acculturation and stress,
anxiety/depression negatively, while influencing on school adjustment and
psychological well-being positively. In addition, the time of leaving Korea
significantly influenced on acculturation and stress positively, while
influencing on school adjustment and psychological well-being negatively.
The acculturation stress was identified as a mediator in the influence of the
time of leaving and social support on school adjustment, psychological
well-being, and anxiety/depression. In particular, the structural relationship
was different in the residence area between Western countries and Eastern
countries. Effective counseling and educational interventions for facilitating
the CCK’s adjustment were discussed based on the results and implication
for future research was also suggested.
Books by Kyoung Mi Choi
Teaching Documents by Kyoung Mi Choi
Op-Ed by Kyoung Mi Choi
There was a time when coming out was the worst thing I could imagine doing to my Asian family. I was terrified to bring shame, guilt, and dishonor to them, to burden them with my truth. Even the thought of telling my family who I was made me feel very selfish. I told myself that I was silent about my sexual orientation to protect the family from judgment and discrimination. So instead of sharing my confusion and the struggles of exploring my sexual orientation, I distanced myself from the people, places, and things I loved…
essences of a cross-cultural immersion experience in South Africa among
counseling master’s-level students. Five core themes—the meaning of being
American, sociopolitical awareness, engagement with South Africans and their
communities, appreciation of life, and commitment to change—characterized
the development of critical consciousness (Freire, 1973, 2000). Findings
support positive influences of cross-cultural immersion as an experiential
pedagogical method for multicultural development.
friends were examined using a Q-methodology. Fifteen female college TCKs participated
in the study. Three distinctive factor groups emerged representing three different
patterns of characteristics of closest friends among the participants: the Socially
Connected group (friend as playmate), the Emotionally Connected group (friend as
nurturer and complement) and the Functionally Connected group (friend as resource).
The findings of the current study have yielded important clinical and educational implications for higher education. Findings partially support earlier research conducted on this population but portray more within-group heterogeneity than has been reported
elsewhere.
leaving Korea, social support, school adjustment, psychological well-being
and anxiety/depression by examining Korean CCKs(Cross-Culture Kids)
who has lived in- or meaningfully interacted with- two or more cultural
environments for more than 6 months. The subjects in this study were 398
CCKs who live in foreign countries, which includes 169 and 229 adolescents
living in the North America and Asia respectively. SEM(Structure Equation
Modeling) was used to address the research questions. The result revealed
that social support significantly influenced on acculturation and stress,
anxiety/depression negatively, while influencing on school adjustment and
psychological well-being positively. In addition, the time of leaving Korea
significantly influenced on acculturation and stress positively, while
influencing on school adjustment and psychological well-being negatively.
The acculturation stress was identified as a mediator in the influence of the
time of leaving and social support on school adjustment, psychological
well-being, and anxiety/depression. In particular, the structural relationship
was different in the residence area between Western countries and Eastern
countries. Effective counseling and educational interventions for facilitating
the CCK’s adjustment were discussed based on the results and implication
for future research was also suggested.
There was a time when coming out was the worst thing I could imagine doing to my Asian family. I was terrified to bring shame, guilt, and dishonor to them, to burden them with my truth. Even the thought of telling my family who I was made me feel very selfish. I told myself that I was silent about my sexual orientation to protect the family from judgment and discrimination. So instead of sharing my confusion and the struggles of exploring my sexual orientation, I distanced myself from the people, places, and things I loved…