At mobbing levels perceived by school psychological counselors as predictive variables emotional intelligence and professional self-esteem

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived mobbing and emotional intelligence and professional self-esteem scores of school psychological counselors and to examine the differences between mobbing perceived by school psychological counselors according to demographic variables. In addition, the other purpose of this study was to determine whether emotional intelligence and professional self-esteem is predictive of the level of perceived mobbing of school psychological counselors. The sample of the study consists of 158 school psychological counselors, of whom 99 (62,7%) were female and 59 (37,3%) male, working in various institutions in ministry of education in Bolu and Karabük provinces. Personal Information Form, Negative Behaviors Scale (Einarsen and Raknes, 1997), Revised Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (Schutte et al., 1998) and Arıcak Professional Self-Esteem Scale (Arıcak, 1999) were used in the data collection phase of the study. The research is based on a descriptive and relational screening model. In the study, it was found that the school psychological counselors working in the secondary school perceived more mobbing than the employees in the primary school. School psychological counselors with bachelor's degrees were found to have higher perceived mobbing scores than those with master's degrees. Besides it was revealed that school psychological counselors who graduated from the field of guidance and psychological counseling perceived less mobbing than other departments (sociology, philosophy, teaching philosophy group, psychology). In the research, a significant negative correlation was found between the perceived mobbing levels of the school psychological counselors and the levels of emotional intelligence and their professional self-esteem. In addition, it was determined that there was a positive correlation between the emotional intelligence levels of the school psychological counselors and their professional self-esteem. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine whether emotional intelligence and professional self-esteem variables predict the perceived mobbing level of school psychological counselors. As a result of the analysis, it was found that emotional intelligence and professional self-esteem variables were significant predictors of mobbing perceived by school psychological counselors. Together, these two variables explain %12 of the change in perceived mobbing scores. Key Words: School Psychological Counselor, Mobbing, Emotional Intelligence, Professional Self-Esteem