Investigation of the relations between psychological counselor candidates' encouragement character strength, psychological counselor self-efficacy, psychological well-being, empathic tendency, self-esteem levels

In this study; The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the levels of encouragement character strength of counselor candidates and the levels of counselor self-efficacy, psychological well-being, empathic disposition and self-esteem. For this purpose, data were collected from 282 students aged between 18-28 (𝑋̅=20, SD=1.84) studying at 57 different universities. In the study, the Encouragement Character Strength Scale (ECSS), the Counselor Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES), the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), the Empathic Tendency Scale (ETS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were used to collect data on the relevant variables. In addition, after the Encouragement Character Strength Scale was translated into Turkish, the psychometric properties of the scale were examined. The psychometric values of the Turkish version of the ECSS were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), internal consistency, and test-retest methods. As a result of CFA, the two-factor model was found to fit well (x2/df= 1.86; CFI= .97; TLI= .96; RMSEA= .055 and SRMR= .039). As a result of the findings obtained, ECSS is a valid and reliable tool that measures the encouragement character strength levels of counselor candidates. The relationship between encouragement character strength levels and psychological counselor self-efficacy, psychological well-being, empathic disposition and self-esteem levels was calculated with the Pearson Product Moments correlation coefficient value. Intermediate level between encouraging character strength, empathic disposition and psychological well-being; low-level positive and significant correlations were found between counselor self-efficacy and self-esteem. In line with the literature review, a model was designed to find the direction of the effect in the relationship between the variables. The designed model was examined by Path Analysis method. Findings related to direct and indirect ways obtained from the accepted model were tested with bootstrap process. As a result of the study, it was seen that the direct and indirect effects between the variables were significant. The direct effect of empathic disposition on encouraging character strength, psychological well-being and self-esteem; the direct impact of encouraging character strength and self-esteem on psychological well-being; The direct effects of self-esteem and psychological well-being on counselor self-efficacy were found to be significant. The indirect effect of empathic disposition on psychological well-being through encouraging character strength and self-esteem was found to be significant. Similarly, the indirect effect of empathic disposition on counselor self-efficacy through encouraging character strength, self-esteem and psychological well-being was also found to be significant. The indirect effects of self-esteem and the strength of the encouraging character on the self-efficacy of the counselor through psychological well-being were also found to be significant separately. While all these direct and indirect effects were positive, the direct effect of self-esteem on counselor self-efficacy was found to be negative. Findings related to the obtained model were discussed within the framework of the literature and forward-looking suggestions were made.