The Moderated Mediation Effect of Self-Consciousness and Burnout on the Relationship of Practicing Counselor's Stress and Somatic Symptoms

Objectives The purpose of this study was investigate the relationship between stress and somatic symptoms of practicing counselor, and to examine the moderated mediation effects of self-consciousness and burnout on this relationship in order to prevent impairment of practicing counselors, and to provide data for counselor education and research. Methods The study was conducted on 240 practicing counselors who registered as businesses with national and recognized qualifications. Participants were recruited using the counseling center's website search, e-mails collected through each association's website, and publicity through SNS. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and verification of mediating effects and controlled mediating effects were conducted to find out the relationship between stress, self-consciousness, burnout, and physicalization symptoms of opening counselors. Results The research findings are as follows. First, Burnout was found to partially mediate the relationship between practicing counselor's stress and somatic symptoms. Second, self-consciousness was identified as a moderator of the relationship between practicing counselor's stress and burnout. Third, a moderated mediating effect of self-consciousness and burnout on the relationship of practicing counselor's stress and somatic symptoms were discoverd. Conclusions The implications of this research findings are as follows. Practicing counselor's stress can lead to somatic symptoms, with burnout acting as a mediator and self-consciousness can enhance the process. These findings provide valuable insights on the relationships between practicing counselor's stress, somatic symptoms, self-consciousness, and burnout. It can be utilized to inform the development of educational and research programs for preventing burnout and associated Impairment among practicing counselor.