Background Variables and Demographic Survey Results.
While one of the primary objectives of this thesis was to measure the levels of
turnover intention, self-esteem and burnout, the thesis also looked at the
relationship between the background variables of age, gender, marital status,
highest academic qualifications and duration of working as a counsellor. The
correlations for each demographic and the scales of turnover intentions, burnout
and self-esteem were measured. Statistical results were compiled on Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.
Background Variables and Demographic Characteristics
Figure: Demographic Characteristics
Figure : Educational Level and Employment Status
Age category frequencies are displayed in Figure 1 and Table 4.1 The survey
sample was distributed over the ages of 20 to above 60. The participants were
asked to indicate the age group that they fell in as follows; 20-29, 30-39, 40-49,
50-59, and 60 plus. The age range of 40-49 had the highest frequency of 39.5
percent, followed by 30-39, which had a frequency of 24.15 percent, then 50-59,
which had a frequency of 20.4 percent; then 20-29 which had a frequency of
9.9 percent and finally 60 and above which had a frequency of 6.2 percent.
Table 5Age of Participants
Age range Frequency Percent
20-29 16 9.9
30-39 39 24.1
40-49 64 39.5
50-59 33 20.4
60+ 10 6.2
Total 162 100
Marital status category frequencies are displayed in Figure 1 and Table 4.2. The
participants were asked to indicate their marital status. 67.95 percent of the
participants are married, followed by those who are single/never married at 21
percent. 6.8 percent indicate they are divorced and
4.3 percent indicated they are widowed.
Table :
Marital Status
Marital status Frequency Percent
Married 110 67.9
Single never married 34 21
Divorced 11 6.8
Widowed 7 4.3
Total 162 100
Highest academic qualifications category frequency is displayed in Figure 1 and
Table 4.3. Counsellors with a master’s degree were the highest frequency at 43.8
percent followed by those with a bachelor’s degree at 25.9 percent, then diploma
at 21 percent and PhD at 9.3 percent.
Table :
Highest Academic Qualification
Highest
academic
qualification
Frequency Percent
Diploma 34 21
Bachelor’s
degree 42 25.9
Master’s degree 71 43.8
PhD 15 9.3
Total 162 100
Gender category frequencies are displayed in Figure 1 and Table 4.4. Female respondents
were
63.6 percent, male respondents were 35.8 percent and one respondent indicated
saying they were transsexual.
Table :
Gender of Participants
Gender Frequency Percent
Male 58 35.8
Female 103 63.6
3 1 0.6
Total 162 100
Current job status category frequencies were displayed in Figure 2 and Table 4.5,
counsellors working on permanent/open contracts were highest at 34 percent
followed by those self employed at 27.8 percent then those working on fixed term
contracts at 20.4 percent, followed by those working part time or on locum basis at
5.4 percent and others at 2.5 percent.
Table :
Job/Employment Status
Employment status Frequency Percent
Working on a fixed term contract 33 20.4
Working on permanent or open ended
contract 55 34
Self employed 45 27.8
Part time or locum basis 25 15.4
Others 4 2.5
Total 162 100
