A Study on the Influence of Counselors’ Critical Consciousness on the Multicultural Counseling Competences: The Mediating Effect of Multicultural Counseling Self-efficacy

Objectives This study aims to establish and verify a structural equation model of the variables related to critical consciousness, multicultural counseling self-efficacy, and multicultural counseling competence. Methods The participants of this study were selected on the basis that they obtained bachelor’s degrees or higher in counseling and psychology and who have worked as counselors in institutions with multicultural education. A total of 233 data was analyzed with SPSS 27 and AMOS 29. Results All variables showed significant positive correlations. Model identification was based on goodness of fit and χ2 difference test criteria. This study compared a partial mediation (research) model with a full mediation (alternative) model, based on theoretical foundations. The partial mediation model was ultimately selected. The mediating effect of multicultural counseling self-efficacy was found to be significant. Conclusions Multicultural counseling self-efficacy demonstrated a partial mediating effect between critical consciousness and multicultural counseling competence. When utilizing critical consciousness to enhance multicultural counseling competence, it would be beneficial to apply it in conjunction with self-efficacy. This study provides a foundation for counselors to incorporate critical consciousness into multicultural counseling competence development training, which is considered to be its significant contribution.