Professional activity and career development of school psychologists and pedagogical counselors in Bulgaria: A survey Cover Image

Професионална дейност и реализация на училищните психолози и педагогическите съветници в България: анкетно изследване
Professional activity and career development of school psychologists and pedagogical counselors in Bulgaria: A survey

Author(s): Ivana Mladenov-Bocheva
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Psychology, Social psychology and group interaction, Organizational Psychology
Published by: Софийски университет »Св. Климент Охридски«
Keywords: school psychologist; pedagogical advisor; professional activity; professional realization; working conditions and resources

Summary/Abstract: The study presents the results of a survey conducted among 173 school psychologists and pedagogical counselors between April and May 2026. A custom-developed questionnaire was designed to examine key dimensions of these specialists' professional activities and career progression. The study provides data on the demographic and professional profile of the surveyed specialists, the distribution of working hours across professional tasks during the school year, and their assessment of the impact of these activities across various professional domains. Furthermore, information was gathered regarding available resources, working conditions, and turnover intentions. The findings also highlight the level of professional recognition reported by specialists, alongside an evaluation of various aspects of their career development and the interrelationships between them. Overall, the results offer a comprehensive analysis of the current state of professional practice among school psychologists and pedagogical counselors in Bulgaria. The conclusions outline key opportunities for improving working conditions and elevating the status of the profession.

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