Journal article
The emotionally exhausted treating the mentally unwell? A systematic review of burnout and stress interventions for psychologists
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Vol.31(1), pp.1-14
2024
Abstract
Healthcare providers are at high risk of occupational burnout, which has negative implications on the individual, their profession, the organisation and their patients. Psychologists are particularly susceptible to the repercussions of burnout due to the emotionally draining nature and content of their work. However, research has failed to outline and evaluate effective interventions for burnout within the profession. This study aimed to investigate the treatment effectiveness of burnout through a systematic literature review. Systematic searches of four databases using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were conducted. A total of 4832 articles were identified, and 15 were included in the final analysis. The search was limited to scholarly and peer-reviewed journals published in the English language, which measured and utilised a form of intervention for the treatment of burnout or stress and included participants within the psychology profession. Interventions identified included mindfulness, training courses, self-care and other therapy-based forms of interventions. Approximately 60% of study participants reported moderate to high levels of stress. Interventions were largely variable in modality, frequency and duration of sessions and follow-up period. Of the 15 studies included within the review, only four measured burnout as an outcome variable, while the others measured stress. Findings of this systematic review indicate that mindfulness-based interventions may be a starting point for reducing stress; however , the most effective intervention for psychologists who have reached burnout is largely unclear. It is recommended that future studies focus on the identification and measurement of burnout, are more rigorously designed and reported and consider peer-based online support approaches.
Details
- Title
- The emotionally exhausted treating the mentally unwell? A systematic review of burnout and stress interventions for psychologists
- Authors
- Caitlin Bell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyGenevieve Roberts (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyPrudence Millear (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyAndrew Allen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyAndrew Wood (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyLee Kannis-Dymand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyCeline Jona (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyJonathan Mason (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Publication details
- Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Vol.31(1), pp.1-14
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1002/cpp.2909
- ISSN
- 1099-0879
- Organisation Unit
- Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; Engage Research Lab; Sustainability Research Cluster; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Psychology; Healthy Ageing Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99966896502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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94 Record Views
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychology, Clinical
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Source: InCites