Burnout and Vigor Among Health Service Psychology Doctoral Students. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swords, Brett A.; Ellis, Michael V.
• Is Part Of: Counseling psychologist. Volume 45:Number 8(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1141
• Page End: 1161
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: burnout -- vigor -- clinical supervision -- stress -- therapist training; Counseling psychology -- Periodicals; 158.305
• DOI: 10.1177/0011000017747548
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-0000

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to address shortcomings in the literature by applying conservation of resources theory to assess and identify predictors of burnout and vigor among health service psychology doctoral trainees. Descriptively, most of the 203 health service psychology doctoral trainees experienced burnout (74.9%) and vigor (76.8%) at some point during their doctoral training. Compared to the norm samples, the trainees evidenced substantively more burnout and less vigor. Collectively, five predictors—pressure, threat, financial strain, relationship conflict, supervisory working alliance—explained 22% of the variance in the multivariate construct of burnout and vigor. Although the supervisory working alliance and a type of work-related stress (threat) uniquely predicted burnout and vigor, pressure, financial strain, and relationship conflict did not. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and suggested future research are provided based on the study findings.