Abstract

This study examined whether job stress mediates the relationship between job autonomy and burnout among military counselors and whether professional identity moderates that mediated pathway. A total of 315 currently employed military counselors completed measures of job autonomy, burnout, job stress, and professional identity, and the data were analyzed with SPSS 29.0 and the PROCESS macro. The results were as follows. First, job autonomy negatively predicted burnout among military counselors. Second, job stress partially mediated the relationship between job autonomy and burnout. Third, professional identity significantly moderated the relationship between job stress and burnout. Fourth, professional identity also significantly moderated the mediating effect of job stress on the relationship between job autonomy and burnout. By identifying factors that shape burnout among military counselors, these findings offer empirical grounds for intervention strategies designed to prevent burnout and improve work effectiveness.