Research Trends on Group Counseling in Universities

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the research trends on group counseling in universities, and to provide implications for future research. Methods For this study, 150 domestic journal papers on university group counseling published from 2000 to April 2024 were analyzed for basic elements, research topics, research subjects, research methods, research types, and types of group counseling. Results The research results are as follows. First, as a result of analysis as a research topic, it was classified into counseling theory, career development, self-development, interpersonal relationships, emotions, subjective well-being and learning development. Second, most of the subjects of the study were general college students, and in addition, there were college students in specific majors such as education and nursing. And college students who had disability problems, psychology, and learning problems were the subjects. Third, as a result of analysis by research method, it was classified into quantitative research, qualitative research, and literature research. Quantitative research included methods such as difference test, variance analysis, and nonparametric test, and qualitative research included content analysis, phenomenological research, grounded theory, and FGI. Fourth, research types were classified into counseling effect research, process research, development research, meta research, and research trend survey. Among them, counseling effect research accounted for the largest proportion. Fifth, as a result of analyzing the types of group counseling programs, face-to-face counseling was the most common in the form of counseling, structured counseling was the most common in the counseling structure, and counselor-centered counseling was the most common in group leaders. Conclusions It was discussed the importance of applying various perspectives and methods when studying group counseling research in universities. In addition, implications for the development and implementation of an effective university group counseling program for college students were presented.