Burnout in Professional Psychotherapists: Relationships with Self-Compassion, Work–Life Balance, and Telepressure

Yasuhiro Kotera, Robert Maxwell-Jones, Ann-Marie Edwards and Natalie Knutton
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Yasuhiro Kotera: Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
Robert Maxwell-Jones: Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
Ann-Marie Edwards: Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
Natalie Knutton: Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: Though negative impacts of COVID-19 on occupational mental health have been reported, the mental health of psychotherapists has not been evaluated in depth. As this occupational group treats ever-increasing mental health problems, it is essential to appraise key factors for their mental health. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore burnout of professional psychotherapists. A total of 110 participants completed self-report measures regarding burnout, self-compassion, work–life balance and telepressure. Correlation, regression and moderation analyses were conducted. Both of the burnout components—emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation—were positively associated with weekly working hours and telepressure, and negatively associated with age, self-compassion and work–life balance. Weekly working hours and work–life balance were significant predictors of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Lastly, self-compassion partially mediated the relationship between work–life balance and emotional exhaustion but did not mediate the relationship between work–life balance and depersonalisation. The findings suggest that maintaining high work–life balance is particularly important for the mental health of psychotherapists, protecting them from burnout. Moreover, self-compassion needs to be cultivated to mitigate emotional exhaustion. Mental health care for this occupational group needs to be implemented to achieve sustainable mental health care for workers and the public.

Keywords: self-compassion; telepressure; work–life balance; burnout; depersonalisation; emotional exhaustion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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