INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

Abstract

Cultural competence in counseling is an essential aspect of providing effective mental health services, particularly in a diverse and multicultural society. This study aims to investigate the influence of language barriers on client-counselor dynamics within the context of cultural competence. An Expost facto survey design was adopted for the study. The targeted population for the study comprised all librarians in Akwa Ibom State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 160 librarians in Akwa Ibom State. This gave a total of 160 respondent used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Cultural Competence in Counseling and Language Barriers to Client-Counselor Dynamics Questionnaire” (CCCLBC-CDQ). Face and content validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert in test, measurement, and evaluation in order to ensure that the instrument has the accuracy, appropriateness, and completeness for the study under consideration. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.84, and this was high enough to justify the use of the instrument. The researcher subjected the data generated for this study to appropriate statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics meant to answer the research questions and simple regression analysis meant to test the hypothesis. The test for significance was done at 0.05 alpha levels. The study revealed that that language barriers do manifest in the counseling setting; language barriers positive impact the establishment of rapport between clients and counselors; language barriers positively influence clients' perceptions of counselor empathy and cultural understanding and that counselors do employ positive strategies to address language barriers and enhance cultural competence. The study concluded that the influence of language barriers on client-counselor dynamics is multifaceted, affecting communication, cultural understanding, and power dynamics within the therapeutic relationship. Strategies such as counselor training, professional interpreters, and technological solutions emerge as crucial components in enhancing cultural competence in the presence of language diversity. One of the recommendations made was that counselling organisations should ensure the availability of qualified interpreters who are fluent in both the client's language and the counselor's language. This may involve hiring interpreters or utilizing professional interpreting services.