SELF-AWARENESS & ITS RELATIONSHIP TO OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE AMONG EDUCATIONAL COUNSELORS

Abstract

This study aims at identifying the following steps; 1. Identify the level of self-awareness among educational counselors. 2. Determine the statistically significant differences in self-awareness based on gender (males - females). 3. Determine the statistically significant differences in self-awareness based on years of service. 4. Identify the level of openness to experience among educational counselors. 5. Determine the statistically significant differences in openness to experience based on gender (males - females). 6. Determine the statistically significant differences in openness to experience based on years of service. 7. Explore the correlation between self-awareness and openness to experience. The research sample consisted of 100 male and female counselors from the Second Al-Karkh Directorate of Education in Baghdad. The Sutton's Self-awareness Scale (2016) and a constructed scale for openness to experience based on the Five Factor Model by Costa and McCrae were used. After verifying their psychometric properties, both scales were applied to the research sample, and the following results were obtained: • The research sample possesses self-awareness. • There is no significant difference in self-awareness based on gender (males - females). • There is no significant difference in self-awareness based on years of service. • The research sample exhibits a high level of openness to experience. • There is no significant difference in openness to experience based on gender (males - females). • There is no significant difference in openness to experience based on years of service. • There is no statistically significant correlation between self-awareness and openness to experience. Based on the research findings, a set of recommendations and suggestions were provided.