Influence of Knowledge, Belief and Principles Orientation on Ethical Behavior of Malaysian Counsellor

Abstract

Ethical behavior is important in counselling services. Ethical knowledge, ethical belief and ethical principle orientation will impact the ethical behavior of counsellors when conducting counselling services. This study was to investigate the influence of ethical knowledge, ethical beliefs, ethical principle orientation on ethical behavior among counsellors in Malaysia. The correlational research design was used. The sample size was 355 counsellors all over Malaysia. Pearson correlation, linear regression and multiple regression analysis were used in this study. Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between ethical knowledge and ethical behavior of counsellors. Results showed that there was a significant relationship between ethical beliefs and ethical behavior of counsellors. However, there was no significant relationship between ethical principle orientation and ethical behavior of counsellor. The result of multiple regression analysis showed that only the ethical knowledge and ethical beliefs is a predictor of ethical behavior among counsellors in Malaysia. In addition, the study showed that the ethical principle orientation is not a predictor of ethical behavior of counsellors in Malaysia. The findings of this study can provide guideline to counsellors improve their ethical behavior, particularly in terms of ethical knowledge, ethical beliefs and ethical principle orientation to practice ethically. Overall results of this study imply that very useful in the counselling profession, especially in the field of ethics counselling, counselling curriculum and research in Malaysia.