Allameh Tabatabaei University
Abstract: (16 Views)
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of university counseling center counselors regarding their role in preventing substance abuse among students. Method: This research adopted a qualitative approach and used thematic analysis. The research population consisted of counselors from university counseling centers. The sample group included 13 experienced counselors in the field of addiction from the counseling centers of universities in Tehran, Allameh Tabatabai, Alzahra, Sharif University of Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Iran University of Science and Technology, Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi University, University of Isfahan, University of Esfahan, University of Tabriz, University of Gilan, University of Shiraz, and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The sampling method used was purposeful sampling. Data related to the research question were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: After analyzing the interviews and coding them, 30 sub-themes and 9 main themes were extracted, including: counselors' attention to risk factors, awareness-raising for students, awareness-raising for influential individuals in relation to students, preventive education, therapeutic interventions based on professional frameworks, counselors' attention to facilitative components in prevention, the effective capacity of universities in prevention, effective barriers to counselors' attention to prevention, and the role of community-based factors in prevention. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that although counselors at university counseling centers focus on awareness-raising activities and skill-building, they are more focused on therapeutic roles and secondary and tertiary prevention, and regard other factors as more effective in primary prevention. Therefore, university counseling centers need to be more effective in primary prevention and take further steps in this area. It is essential for higher authorities to develop a comprehensive program and organize training courses for counselors in this regard for all universities.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
School counselor
Received: 2024/12/16 | Accepted: 2025/12/22 | Published: 2026/02/3
Received: 2024/12/16 | Accepted: 2025/12/22 | Published: 2026/02/3
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