Job Satisfaction and Values of Counselors in Private Practice and Agency Settings

Authors

  • Laura Cunningham University of Central Florida Argosy University, Sarasota
  • Andrew Daire
  • Stephanie tenee-lewis Smalls Argosy University, Sarasota

Keywords:

Job Satisfaction, person-environment match, counselor burnout, counseling, counselor values

Abstract

Counselors work in diverse locations. Yet, very little is known about each setting's optimal person-environment match, which contributes to burnout and turnover in the field. One hundred and thirty-five counselors comprised the sample in a descriptive correlational study from a large city in the Southeastern region of the United States. Instrumentation included: the Schwartz Value Survey, the abridged Job Descriptive Index and Job In General Scale, and the Counselor History Questionnaire. Two one-way MANOVA's and four standard multiple regressions were performed for the analyses. Significant results (F[2,133] = 9.88, p = .000]) suggested practioners rated a higher level of job satisfaction than their counterparts in agency settings, with 12.9% of the variance being accounted for by the variable of work location. The non-significant results of value priorities included that counselors possess similar value priorities. Implications for counselors and counselor educators are presented, along with areas of future research.

Author Biographies

Laura Cunningham, University of Central Florida Argosy University, Sarasota

Andrew Daire

Stephanie tenee-lewis Smalls, Argosy University, Sarasota

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Published

2014-05-04

Issue

Section

Articles