6.7 Flashcards
burnout most commonly occurs in professions where there is
high pressure to perform, and where contact with clients, patients, and customers is paramount to the role.
Research shows that psychology students report
emotional exhaustion, cynicism, depersonalisation, professional disbelief, reduced personal accomplishment, and feelings of inefficacy
Grigsby’s (2015) research found that online psychology students who score higher on neuroticism and emotion-oriented coping were more likely to
burnout
Grigsby’s (2015) research found that negative relationships were observed between
burnout and extroversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and task-focused coping
Perfectionism has also been linked with
burnout
Norcross and Barnett (n.d.) propose 12 strategies to manage stress and reduce distress before impairment and improper behaviour occur
- Valuing yourself: Apply the skills used for clients to yourself.
- Refocusing on why you chose this work: Remember to focus on the benefits and privileges of working as a psychologist.
- Recognising the hazards: Acknowledge and accept the occupational challenges that are endemic to working as a psychologist.
- Minding the body: Remember to practice the essentials of healthy living; sleep, eat and exercise well.
- Nurturing relationships: Cultivate support among colleagues, family members, friends and mentors.
- Setting boundaries: Establish and maintain boundaries between yourself and others; between your personal life and your professional life.
- Restructuring cognitions: Notice perfectionistic and self-critical thoughts; manage them with compassion.
- Sustaining healthy escapes: Seek restorative activities that keep you vital and engaged.
- Creating a flourishing environment: Intentionally create a positive environment for yourself in terms of setting, colleagues and comfort.
- Undergoing personal therapy: Engage in personal therapy on a periodic basis as a form of positive self-development. Consider alternative approaches such as taking a yoga class or mindfulness meditation.
- Cultivating spirituality and mission: Connect to sources of meaning and values in your life.
- Fostering creativity and growth: Diversify your professional activities; seek growth, development, change and renewal in your work.
Norcross and Barnett (n.d.) propose 12 strategies to manage stress and reduce distress before impairment and improper behaviour occur
- Valuing yourself: Apply the skills used for clients to yourself.
- Refocusing on why you chose this work: Remember to focus on the benefits and privileges of working as a psychologist.
- Recognising the hazards: Acknowledge and accept the occupational challenges that are endemic to working as a psychologist.
- Minding the body: Remember to practice the essentials of healthy living; sleep, eat and exercise well.
- Nurturing relationships: Cultivate support among colleagues, family members, friends and mentors.
- Setting boundaries: Establish and maintain boundaries between yourself and others; between your personal life and your professional life.
- Restructuring cognitions: Notice perfectionistic and self-critical thoughts; manage them with compassion.
- Sustaining healthy escapes: Seek restorative activities that keep you vital and engaged.
- Creating a flourishing environment: Intentionally create a positive environment for yourself in terms of setting, colleagues and comfort.
- Undergoing personal therapy: Engage in personal therapy on a periodic basis as a form of positive self-development. Consider alternative approaches such as taking a yoga class or mindfulness meditation.
- Cultivating spirituality and mission: Connect to sources of meaning and values in your life.
- Fostering creativity and growth: Diversify your professional activities; seek growth, development, change and renewal in your work.
Pakenham (2015) responds to Datillo (2015) and adds additional self-care questions for consideration:
Have there been changes in my behaviour/attitude in the past 6 months to a year?
Have there been any changes in my thinking style in the past 6 months or a year?
Have there been any comments from others about their observations of me, specifically as it relates to family members, friends, or colleagues?
Have you noticed any differing reactions from others who know you well?
Have there been any particular differences in my clients’ response to me as a therapist in the past 6 months or a year? (p. 397).
Pakenham (2015) responds to Datillo (2015) and adds additional points for consideration:
(a) the need to distinguish between psychology trainees and practising qualified psychologists when addressing stress and self-care requirements in the profession;
(b) the importance of developing a culture of self-care among psychologists by providing self-care instruction during training;
(c) the need to temper research findings on stress and mental health among psychologists by the methodological weakness of the studies in this area;
(d) adhering to the recent call from colleagues to shift from a focus on pathology and punishment to a positive acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based approach for encouraging self-care among psychologists;
(e) the use of a systematic framework for organising the presentation of self-care strategies that makes them more accessible; and
(f) an appeal to professional bodies to take their responsibility in promoting self-care in the profession (p. 405).
Bearse et al., (2013) include a number of obstructive factors for psychologists in their help seeking behaviour. They include:
social stigma; treatment concerns; fear of exposing emotion; anticipated risks; and self-disclosure
Bearse et al., (2013) include a number of obstructive factors for psychologists in their help seeking behaviour. They include:
social stigma; treatment concerns; fear of exposing emotion; anticipated risks; and self-disclosure
