The relationship between self-esteem and organizational trust perceived by guidance counselors: The case of ankara province

Humans need other individuals to develop and survive in many ways, including physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects. As social beings, humans' complex relationships with others are inevitable and necessary given the world's level of development. In this context, healthy relationships in both private and organizational life contribute to self-actualization while also ensuring the continuity of the organization to which one belongs. The form and quality of relationships with other individuals are shaped by the perceptions of those involved. Individuals develop certain attitudes towards themselves and their environment from the earliest years of life, and these attitudes determine their perception of events and situations. In other words, the meaning a person assigns to themselves, others, life, events, and phenomena is shaped by their perceptions. Accordingly, self-esteem, which expresses an individual's self-perception, their level of approval and acceptance, and their positive or negative view of themselves, also determines their tendency to trust or distrust in relationships with other individuals. Trust, a key concept that connects individuals and organizations and determines the continuity, strength, and intensity of relationships, emerges as a fundamental emotion in all forms of relationships. In organizations formed by people who come together for common goals, the presence of trust positively contributes to the development of many organizational elements such as cooperation, motivation, commitment, and job satisfaction. Trust is a crucial factor in achieving institutional success, especially in schools established to meet the educational needs of society. Guidance counselors perform a helping profession by providing counseling to students and parents, and guidance services to teachers and school administrators. Due to the nature of their work, high self-esteem and a strong sense of organizational trust are desirable qualities for guidance counselors. However, there is currently no research in the literature that examines the relationship between guidance counselors' self-esteem and their perception of organizational trust.