Using Leader-Member Exchange Theory to Examine Principal—School Counselor Relationships, School Counselors' Roles, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intentions

Principals have considerable influence on shaping the role of school counselors with whom they work (Amatea & Clark, 2005; Dollarhide, Smith, & Lemberger, 2007; Ponec & Brock, 2000). Researchers used leader-member exchange theory (Graen & Uhl-Bien, 1995) to examine the relevance of principal-school counselor relationships to school counselors' role definition, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions. A path analysis model explained 15% of the variance in how school counselors' roles are defined at the building level, 49% of the variance in school counselors' job satisfaction, and 20% of the variance in school counselors' turnover intentions. Implications for school counseling practice and leadership are provided