Running head: GROUP PROPOSAL
Group Proposal: Interpersonal Relationship Empowerment and Stress Management Group
For Asian International Students at the Pennsylvania State University
Moran He
The Pennsylvania State University
1
Group Proposal
2
Abstract
The following proposal outlines a counseling group program for Asian international students.
The program is formed to address issues regarding interpersonal relationship difficulties and life stress among Asian international students. The group is open but is limited to no more than eight group members. The group meet once a week for thirteen sessions and will be offered during the fall semester of the academic year. The areas of counseling focus of the group include consciousness-raising, assertiveness training, and stress management. The proposed group program fills the gap in services available to Asian international students. This proposal describes the rationale, group format, group process, and evaluation criteria.
Group Proposal
3
Group Proposal: Interpersonal Relationship Empowerment and Stress Management Group
For Asian International Students at the Pennsylvania State University
Purpose and Objectives
Rationale
The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) ranked the 14th nationally among institutions with the largest number of international students (Institute of International Education (IIE),
2005). The presence of approximately 3,700 international students on PSU campus has enriched the cultural experiences of the campus community and improved the chances for developing global understanding.
At PSU, Asian enrollments accounted for sixty-nine percent of all
international students (University Office of International Programs, 2003). In this proposal, I describe a culturally responsive counseling group for these Asian international students with a focus on interpersonal relationship empowerment and stress management. Issues regarding its
References: Abe, J., Talbot, D. M., & Geelhoed, R. J. (1998). Effects of a peer program on international student adjustment Association for Specialists in Group Work (1990). Ethical guidelines for group counselors. Carr, J. L., Koyama, M., & Thiagarajan, M. (2002). A women’s support group for Asian international students Cho, S. (1988). Predictive factors of stress among international college students. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Missouri. Corey, M. S., & Corey, G. (2006). Groups process and practice (7th ed.). CA: Thomas Higher Education. Devan, G. S. (2001). Culture and the practice of group psychotherapy in Singapore. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 51, 571-577. Enns, C. Z. (1992). Self-esteem groups: A synthesis of consciousness-raising and assertiveness training Hayes, R., & Lin, H. R. (1994). Coming to America: Developing social support systems for international students Institute of International Education, The. (2005). Open doors: International students in the U.S. Lacina, J. G. (2002). Preparing international students for a successful social experience in higher education Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer. American and international students. International Journal of Stress Management, 11, 132148. Misra, R., Crist, M., & Burant, C. J. (2003). Relationships among life stress, social support, academic stressors, and reactions to stressors of international students in the United States. Mori, S. (2000). Addressing the mental health concerns of international students. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78, 137-144. Pedersen, P. (1991). Counseling international students. The Counseling Psychologist, 19, 10-58. Pennsylvania State University Office of International Programs, the. (2003). Report on international students and scholars Posthuma, B. W. (1999). Small groups in counseling and therapy: Process and leadership. Poyrazli, S., Kavanaugh, P. R., Baker, A., & Al-Timimi, N. (2004). Social support and demographic correlates of acculturative stress in international students Romano, J. L. (1992). Psychoeducational interventions for stress management and well-being. Thomas, K., & Althen, G. (1989). Counseling foreign students. In P. B. Pedersen, J. G. Draguns, W Ulman, K. H. (2000). An integrative model of stress management groups for women. Yang, B., & Clum, G. A. (1994). Life stress, social support, and problem-solving skills predictive of depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and suicide ideation in an Asian student Yoon, E., & Portman, T. A. A. (2004). Critical issues of literature on counseling international students Zhang, N., & Dixon, D. N. (2003). Acculturation and attitudes of Asian international students toward seeking psychological help