Differentiation of Self Predicts Counselor Burnout Through Effective Psychological Counselor Characteristics

Abstract

Understanding effective psychological counselor characteristics and counselor burnout necessitates consideration of the family of origin as a pertinent factor. Differentiation of self may be one of the factors associated with these characteristics and counselor burnout. Psychological counselors with lower differentiation of self may fail to maintain emotional boundaries in a therapeutic process, resulting in counselor burnout. The present cross-sectional study undertook an examination of the mediating role played by effective psychological counselor characteristics within the context of the association between differentiation of self and counselor burnout. The sample comprised 240 Turkish psychological counselors actively engaged in psychological counseling practices, working mainly in schools. Participants responded to items in a survey including Differentiation of Self Inventory Short Form (DSI-SF), Effective Counselor Characteristics Scale (ECCS), Counselor Burnout Inventory (CBI), and a Demographic Information Form. Findings showed that differentiation of self has a direct effect on counselor burnout (Hypothesis 1), and effective psychological counselor characteristics mediated the association between differentiation of self and counselor burnout (Hypothesis 2). The path of differentiation of self to effective psychological counselor characteristics to counselor burnout explained 48% of the variance. The ongoing investigation has revealed the potential threats linked to reduced self-differentiation concerning effective psychological counselor characteristics and the phenomenon of counselor burnout.