A pilot study investigating the efficacy of brief, phone‐based, behavioral interventions for burnout in graduate students. Issue 12 (13th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fang, Caitlin M.; McMahon, Kibby; Miller, Melissa L.; Rosenthal, Mark Zachary
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 77:Issue 12(2021)
• Page Start: 2725
• Page End: 2745
• Publication Date: 2021-09-13
• Subjects: behavioral activation -- brief intervention -- burnout -- graduate students -- phone‐based; Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23245
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This pilot study tested the efficacy of two brief, phone‐administered, behavioral interventions derived from behavioral activation in reducing burnout among doctoral students. Methods: Sixty‐six doctoral students demonstrating current high burnout were randomly assigned to one of three intervention conditions: (1) Reward: increasing pleasant, rewarding behaviors, (2) Approach: approaching important goals that they have been avoiding, or (3) Control: monitoring only. Results: Results indicated that doctoral students treated with the approach intervention reported significantly lower burnout compared to participants in the control condition immediately after the intervention and at a 1‐week follow‐up. Results also suggested that students in the approach intervention also reported higher well‐being compared to students in the control condition. Conclusion: These findings suggest that this approach intervention is an effective treatment for school burnout for doctoral students that can be delivered remotely through phone and web technology.