Vocational self-esteem and psychological needs in Turkish counseling students

Abstract

In this study, relationships between vocational self-esteem and psychological needs (autonomy, affiliation, achievement, and dominance) in Turkish counseling students were examined. In addition, the moderating effect of gender on the relationships between vocational self-esteem and psychological needs was investigated. The participants consisted of 281 undergraduate counseling students at Pamukkale University, in Denizli, Turkey. Data were gathered by using the Vocational Self-Esteem Scale and the Needs Assessment Questionnaire. Results indicated that vocational self-esteem was positively related to need for affiliation and achievement in Turkish counseling students. Vocational self-esteem was higher in female students compared to male students. There was a stronger relationship between vocational self-esteem and need for achievement in females than males. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.