Coping as a moderator variable in the relationship between occupational stressors and burnout amongst psychologists

[摘要] English: The aim of this research was to determine whether the coping utilized by SouthAfrican psychologists had a moderating effect on the relationship betweenoccupational stress and the levels of burnout they experienced. Human serviceprofessionals, such as psychologists, are involved with working closely and intenselywith people. Due to the intense nature of these relationships as well as the severity ofthe problems dealt with, these professionals tend to get overly stressed and if thestress prevails, burnt-out. Little South African literature is available on this topic.The psychologists that were involved in this study were selected from theirmembership in the Psychologica l Society of South Africa (PsySSA). The study wasaimed at psychologists employed in private practice in the Free State area. The sampleconsisted of 100 psychologists. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Copequestionnaire, a work of experience questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire(both developed by the researcher) were administered to the research sample. Burnoutis measured by three subscales, namely, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation anda sense of reduced personal accomplishment. Two types of coping styles weremeasured, namely emotion-focused and problem -focused coping.The results obtained indicate that the participants experience elevated levels of stress,the highest stress levels were reported on practice issues, such as nature and severityof client's diagnosis, prognosis of clients, client load and socio-economic -status ofclients. The levels of burnout were also elevated, and a majority of the psychologistsappear to have a diminished sense of personal competence. No significant relationshipexisted between work stress and burnout for this research sample. The copingmechanisms utilized by the psychologists in this study do not have a moderatingeffect on the relationship between their stress and burnout levels.

[发布机构] University of the Free State