English abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the counseling needs of a group of probation students compared to their colleagues who are in normal status at Sultan Qaboos University. It also aimed at determining the ranking of these counseling needs according to importance and priority for each of the two groups. Besides that, the differences between the these two groups in these counseling needs were investigated with respect to the following variables: sex (male-female), place of residence, level of probation (first, second, and third). The researcher constructed a questionnaire consisting of (56) statements categorized into four areas: academic, psychological, social, and family. The sample consisted of (408) students, (204) of them were on probation, and (204) were students with normal status. The results of the study indicated that the need with highest mean for probation students was in regular daily study, whereas their lowest mean was in developing independence from the family. On the other hand, for the students with normal status, the results revealed that, the need with highest mean was in utilizing personal abilities and skills effectively, and the lowest was in coping with family pressure in selecting specialization. The study also showed that the order of the counseling needs for students under probation was as follows: psychological, academic, social, and family. On the other hand, the order for students with normal status was: academic, psychological, social, and family. The results revealed significant differences between the two groups in all four areas of counseling needs. But, no significant differences were found between males and females in the degree of need in all areas of counseling needs. Similarly, no significant differences were found between probation students living with family and those living with colleagues. The results also showed that there is no significant difference in counseling needs between students of different probation levels (first, second, and third). In the light of what the study has resulted in, recommendations and suggestions for further studies are presented.
