Job Satisfaction of Turkish School Counselors: A Social Cognitive Career Theory Perspective

Building on the Social Cognitive Career Theory, this study investigated the mediating role of goal progress and the moderating role of trait positive affect in the link between work-related self-efficacy and job satisfaction. Employing a sample of 366 Turkish school counselors, results show that work-related self-efficacy was positively linked to job satisfaction, and this link was mediated by work goal progress. Moreover, results show that trait positive affect was a significant moderator in the link between work-related self-efficacy and job satisfaction. Specifically, self-efficacy negatively links job satisfaction in school counselors with low trait positive affect. The present results provide preliminary evidence for the proposition that the strength and direction of work-related self-efficacy on job satisfaction is dependent on trait positive affect levels among school counselors. Theoretical and practical implications are presented.