Examining the relationship between self-efficacy perception and job satisfaction of social work graduates: The case of Yalova University

This study aims to examine the relationship between self-efficacy perception and job satisfaction of social work graduates. Social work discipline is an ethical and human rights-based profession that requires multi-layered interventions at individual, group and community level with the aim of increasing human welfare. In this context, the structural, emotional and professional difficulties faced by social work graduates in their professional lives are among the important variables that directly affect their perceptions of individual competence and job satisfaction. The study was conducted with the participation of 205 graduates of Yalova University Department of Social Work, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale and Job Satisfaction Scale were used as data collection tools. The data were analysed with SPSS software and the relationships between variables were evaluated through correlation, t-test and variance analyses. The findings revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between the self-efficacy levels of social work graduates and their job satisfaction. In particular, satisfaction with the education process, relationships with academic counselling services and professional experiences after graduation were found to be effective on both self-efficacy and job satisfaction. The results of the study show that the professional satisfaction of social work graduates depends not only on their self-efficacy but also on the level of organisational support, their perceptions of their professional roles and the quality of their working conditions. Graduates' ways of coping with emotional labour burden, their evaluation of the meaningfulness of work and their perception of social contribution stand out as factors that increase professional satisfaction. On the other hand, factors such as low wages, uncertain career opportunities and inadequate managerial support negatively affect job satisfaction. In this context, the thesis provides important clues for determining strategies to increase the professional sustainability of social work graduates. Making the education process practice-oriented, strengthening professional counselling systems and developing policies to support the perception of self-efficacy in business life are critical for the protection of qualified human resources in the field of social work. The findings obtained aim to contribute to the discipline of social work at both theoretical and practical levels; at the same time, it is a source of guidance for new studies to be conducted in the field.