How Important Are Roles/Functions of School Psychologists and Who Should Substitute for Them in Their Absence?

The purpose of this study was to compare Thai and American college students on their perception of the importance of the various roles and functions of school psychologists, and who should assume those roles and functions in the absence of school psychologists. One hundred and eighty-one Thai college students and their 168 US counterparts participated in the present study. Each student rated the various roles/functions of a school psychologist and specified who should assume those roles/functions in the absence of a school psychologist. Results indicated that while Thai students rated the assessment role/function significantly higher (p < 0.05) than their US counterparts, they rated the other roles/functions significantly lower (p < 0.05) except for counselling (p > 0.05). However, they differed significantly (p < 0.05) on who should assume the counselling role in the absence of a school psychologist. Thai students expected their parents and older siblings, as well as their teachers, to fill the vacuum more than their US counterparts did. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., copyright holder.]