Factors contributing to Burnout and Turnover Intentions in International School and University Guidance Counsellors

Burnout and high turnover among guidance and counselling professionals are growing concerns globally. However, no prior research has specifically examined these issues within international school and university counselling contexts, where unique cultural, organisational, and geographical factors may intensify demands. This study investigates the factors influencing burnout and turnover intentions in international guidance counsellors.

Using the Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS), Counselor Burnout Inventory (CBI), Quantitative Workload Inventory (QWI), and Turnover Intention Scale (TIS), an online survey was conducted with 158 members of the International School Counselor Association (ISCA) and the International Association for College Admission Counseling (International ACAC). Correlational and hierarchical regression analyses were used to explore predictive relationships between demographic, workload, job satisfaction, and communication variables.

Participants reported overall ambivalence toward their jobs and moderate to high levels of burnout. Age and interference of non-counselling duties significantly predicted burnout, and these effects were moderated by job satisfaction variables such as salary, fringe benefits, co-worker support, nature of work, communication, and workload. Interference of non-counselling duties also predicted turnover intentions, but its influence was reduced once additional organisational variables were introduced.

The final model identified geographical region, operating conditions, lack of time for curriculum implementation, and ineffective intra-organisational communication as the strongest predictors of turnover intentions.

Understanding these factors provides valuable insight into how international schools and universities can better support counsellor wellbeing, improve retention, and inform policy and leadership practices. Further region-specific research is recommended.

Findings from this research were presented at the International ACAC annual conference in 2021, and National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) annual forum in 2021.