The purpose of this study were to empirically examine the relationships among self-differentiation, working alliance and burnout and to identify how working alliance may mediate the relationship between self-differentiation and burnout. The participants in the this study were 290 counselors working in counseling centers in Korea. Each participant completed Korean Self-Differentiation Inventory (Chung & Cho, 2007), Working Alliance Inventory (Horvath & Greenberg, 1989), Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981) and a demographic sheet.
The results were as follows; First, the counselor's self-differentiation and burnout, there was a significant negative correlation. Looking at the results for each sub-factors of self-differentiation, burnout was found to be influential inner psychological dimension and interpersonal dimension.
Second, the counselor's working alliance and burnout, there was a significant negative correlation. Looking at the results for each sub-factors of working alliance, burnout was found to be influential task agreement and emotional bond except goal agreement.
Third, the counselor's self-differentiation and working alliance, there was a significant positive correlation. Looking at the results for each sub-factors of self-differentiation, working alliance was found to be influential inner psychological dimension and interpersonal dimension.
Fourth, working alliance was a mediator of the relation between self-differentiation and burnout.
Finally, implications and limitations of this study were discussed.