Empathy and self-efficacy, and resiliency: an exploratory study of counseling students in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to explore the degree of empathy, self-efficacy, and resiliency among first grade counseling students. Participants consisted of 132 students enrolled in guidance and psychological counseling programs at three different universities in Turkey. The participants completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Self-Efficacy Scale, Resiliency Scale and Information Sheet. Results show that most of the participants preferred the department of psychological counselling and guidance in the first row in the university entrance exam. Students’ career preferences differentiated significantly according to gender.