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Jesser A, Steinböck A, Pammer B, Ghorab T, Weber M, Schaffler Y, Probst T, Felnhofer A, Kothgassner OD, Pieh C, Humer E. Burdens and resources of Austrian clinical psychologists: results of a qualitative study two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:205. [PMID: 38615038 PMCID: PMC11016222 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01714-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic increased the mental health burden in the general population, enhancing the demands placed on mental healthcare professionals. METHODS This study aimed to assess the burdens and resources of clinical psychologists that emerged since the beginning of the pandemic. N = 172 Austrian clinical psychologists participated in a cross-sectional online survey between April and May 2022. The burdens and the sources of support that emerged during the pandemic were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Mental health-related issues were identified as the greatest burden, followed by work-related themes and restrictions imposed by the government to combat the spreading of the virus. The most important resources mentioned by the clinical psychologists were social contacts and recreational activities. Practising mindfulness and focusing on inner processes and work-related aspects were further important resources mentioned. CONCLUSION Overall, it seems that clinical psychologists have a high awareness of mental health-related problems related to the pandemic and use adaptive coping strategies to deal with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Jesser
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, 3500, Austria
- Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud University Vienna, Vienna, 1020, Austria
| | - Agnes Steinböck
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, 3500, Austria
| | - Barbara Pammer
- Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Graz, Austria
| | - Tiam Ghorab
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, 3500, Austria
| | - Magdalena Weber
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, 3500, Austria
| | - Yvonne Schaffler
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, 3500, Austria
| | - Thomas Probst
- Division of Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Anna Felnhofer
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oswald D Kothgassner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Pieh
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, 3500, Austria
| | - Elke Humer
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, 3500, Austria.
- Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud University Vienna, Vienna, 1020, Austria.
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Hebaish Y, Chatterjee S, Deegear J, Rucker M, Aprahamian H, Ntaimo L. A data-driven simulation approach to quantify the effect of group counseling on system performance of college counseling centers. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37856364 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2252916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effectiveness, from a system's perspective, of offering group counseling options in college counseling centers. Methods: We achieve this through a data-driven simulation-based approach with the aim of providing administrators with a quantitative tool that informs their decision-making process. Results: Our simulation experiments reveal that offering group counseling options without resource reallocation does not have the desired positive impact on the system's performance. However, with resource reallocation, our results demonstrate that the introduction of group counseling options can significantly improve the performance of the system by as much as 40%. Conclusions: Group counseling options, coupled with proper resource reallocation strategies, are effective in reducing access time of first-time patients by as much as 40%. The effect of group counseling is highly dependent on both the number of offered groups as well as their scheduling policy. Scheduling policies have to be scrutinized in light of their resulting group waiting time and resource-utilization efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Hebaish
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Sohom Chatterjee
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - James Deegear
- Counseling and Psychological Services, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Miles Rucker
- Counseling and Psychological Services, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Hrayer Aprahamian
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Lewis Ntaimo
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Schaffler Y, Bauer M, Schein B, Jesser A, Probst T, Pieh C, Humer E. Understanding pandemic resilience: a mixed-methods exploration of burdens, resources, and determinants of good or poor well-being among Austrian psychotherapists. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1216833. [PMID: 37693716 PMCID: PMC10483144 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1216833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health burden on the general population, resulting in increased demands on mental healthcare professionals, including psychotherapists. This cross-sectional study assessed the challenges and resources encountered by 513 psychotherapists based on an online survey conducted between April and May 2022. Methods Qualitative methods content analysis of written reports was employed to investigate the emerging challenges and sources of support during the pandemic. A comparative analysis of burdens, resources, sociodemographic factors and daily physical activity was conducted to discern patterns of good and poor well-being. Results The predominant burden identified was mental health-related issues, followed by global crises and government-imposed restrictions to mitigate virus transmission. Essential resources encompassed social connections, mindfulness, work satisfaction, and internal processes. Notably, psychotherapists demonstrating good well-being were older, more physically active, had a lower proportion of females, were employed in private practices rather than in institutionalized settings, had more years of professional experience and treated more patients weekly than their counterparts with poor well-being. Furthermore, they exhibited greater optimism, health focus, and satisfaction with their coping methods. Discussion These findings can help develop support systems, policies, and educational programs to better support mental health professionals during global crises and offer strategies for individual practitioners to maintain their well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Schaffler
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Monika Bauer
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Barbara Schein
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Andrea Jesser
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Thomas Probst
- Division of Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christoph Pieh
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Elke Humer
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
- Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Tuna B, Avci OH. Qualitative analysis of university counselors' online counseling experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 42:8489-8503. [PMID: 37193098 PMCID: PMC9969378 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04358-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to reflect on counselors' experiences and the adaptation processes in university counseling centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, 15 counselors and psychologists working at different counseling centers were reached and interviewed. Thematic analysis showed that participants had to adapt to changes brought by the pandemic to continue their services. The adaptation of counseling centers to online practices showed differences according to administrative decisions and technical capacities. As a result of the urgent need to continue providing psychological help, participants moved to online practices, which caused professional and social life changes. Participant attitudes to online counseling were mainly positive. Since students had to move back to their family homes during the pandemic, limited confidentiality was the main problem aside from technological glitches in online sessions. Counselors encountered personal and professional challenges as a result of the ongoing counseling sessions and listed the self-care activities they used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burak Tuna
- University Counseling Center, Kadir Has University, Cibali Campus, 34083 Cibali/Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Haskan Avci
- Educational Sciences, Division of Counseling and Guidance, Hacettepe University, 06800 Beytepe/Ankara, Turkey
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Schaffler Y, Kaltschik S, Probst T, Jesser A, Pieh C, Humer E. Mental health in Austrian psychotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1011539. [PMID: 36424964 PMCID: PMC9679414 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1011539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has been reported in different communities, little is known about the mental health of psychotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austrian psychotherapists and compare it with the general population. A total of n = 513 psychotherapists (80.5% women; mean age: 53.06 ± 9.94 years) took part in an online survey conducted from April to June 2022. At the same time, a representative sample (N = 1,031) of the Austrian general population was surveyed online. Indicators of mental health were mental wellbeing (WHO-5), depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), insomnia (ISI-2), and stress (PSS-10). The general population sample was matched according to age and gender with the psychotherapist's data using propensity scores, yielding a final sample of n = 513 (80.5% women; mean age: 52.33 ± 13.39 years). Psychotherapists showed lower odds for exceeding cut-offs for clinically relevant depressive, anxiety, insomnia and stress symptoms (0.34-0.58) compared to the general population. Further studies should elucidate the protective factors underlying these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Elke Humer
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
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Van Hoy A, Rzeszutek M. Burnout and Psychological Wellbeing Among Psychotherapists: A Systematic Review. Front Psychol 2022; 13:928191. [PMID: 36046419 PMCID: PMC9423708 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.928191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The general aim of this systematic review is to synthesize, analyze, and critically review existing studies concerning the relationship between sociodemographic, intrapersonal, and work-related factors and burnout, as well as psychological wellbeing among psychotherapists. Methodology We performed a structured literature search utilizing the PRISMA framework in the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, MedLine, PsyARTICLES, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The most relevant inclusion criteria were quantitative and peer-reviewed articles published in English. Results After the selection process, we accepted 52 articles for further systematic review. Thirty-eight studies examined burnout among psychotherapists, while the other 14 studies focused on psychological wellbeing in this sample. Conclusions Burnout and wellbeing among psychotherapists are related to numerous sociodemographic (e.g., age, gender), intrapersonal (e.g., coping, personality), and work-related characteristics, including work settings and professional support in this profession (e.g., supervision or personal therapy). However, the high heterogeneity observed between studies in terms of burnout and wellbeing operationalization and measurement warrants more consistent and advanced methodological models of these theoretical constructs in the future in this specific sample.
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Cui P, Liu Y, Ju X, Gu T. Key Influencing Factors and Optimization Strategy of Epidemic Resilience in Urban Communities-A Case Study of Nanjing, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9993. [PMID: 36011626 PMCID: PMC9408670 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19169993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has posed a significantly severe impact on both people’s lives and the global economic development. Increasing the community epidemic resilience will considerably improve the national public health emergency response capacity from bottom to top. This study identifies the influencing factors of community epidemic resilience through systematic literature review under the 4R framework, then obtains the relationships of influencing factors through Interpretive structural model, and finally assesses the performance of epidemic resilience using PROMETHEE II method through empirical cases in Nanjing, China. The results show that: (1) Eight factors influencing the epidemic resilience of community are identified, and the economic level plays the root role; (2) Community epidemic resilience can be improved from robustness, rapidity, redundancy and resourcefulness aspects; (3) Through the empirical analysis, the epidemic resilience ranking of community can be displayed (Community D > T > S > F); (4) Additionally, the performance and sensitivity analysis of influencing factors in each community can be demonstrated. (5) Finally, four implications are proposed, namely, allocating public resources rationally, significantly increasing the economic level, ensuring the accuracy of information delivery and conducting disaster learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Cui
- Department of Engineering Management, School of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Engineering Management, School of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Xuan Ju
- Department of Engineering Management, School of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Tiantian Gu
- Department of Engineering Management, School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
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Peters HC, Das B, Attia M, Parker MM. COVID-19 and pre-tenure counseling faculty: A collaborative autoethnographic investigation. JOURNAL OF EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING 2022; 60:JOEC12200. [PMID: 36248259 PMCID: PMC9538747 DOI: 10.1002/joec.12200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Higher education faculty worldwide experienced heightened stressors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from completing their professional roles and responsibilities virtually to balancing personal and professional stressors. Consequently, the pandemic created many adjustments for pre-tenure counseling faculty across research, teaching, and service. In response to this pandemic, we explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the personal and professional lives of four pre-tenure counseling faculty members. Accordingly, we used collaborative autoethnography to investigate our experiences and narratives as pre-tenure counseling faculty, which resulted in seven overarching themes. We discussed the implications for practice, advocacy, education, and faculty training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harvey Charles Peters
- Department of Counseling and Human DevelopmentThe George Washington UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Bagmi Das
- Department of Counseling and Human DevelopmentThe George Washington UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Mina Attia
- Department of Counseling and Human DevelopmentThe George Washington UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Maggie M. Parker
- Department of Counseling and Human DevelopmentThe George Washington UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
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Keyes J, Yankouskaya A, Panourgia C. Self-compassion, coping strategies and gender differences in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy practitioners during COVID-19: Lessons learnt. COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH 2022; 23:CAPR12574. [PMID: 36247723 PMCID: PMC9537790 DOI: 10.1002/capr.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Effective coping strategies can protect against the adverse effects of stress. This study investigated self-compassion's ability to predict approach and avoidance coping in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy practitioners (PCPPs) during COVID-19, and whether this differed between genders. To date, no research has investigated this relationship, despite positive associations being drawn in other populations. Three hundred and nineteen PCPPs completed an online survey including the Brief COPE and Self-Compassion Short Form. Self-compassion significantly predicted greater use of approach coping and reduced use of avoidance coping. The predictive ability of self-compassion was slightly better in female practitioners. Self-judgement arose as a prominent subscale of self-compassion across genders, increasing both approach and avoidance coping. Implications for future research and practice are discussed, concerning barriers to self-compassion and the requirement of therapeutic programmes and psychoeducation as a prerequisite for effective coping strategies in the PCPP population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Keyes
- Department of PsychologyBournemouth UniversityPooleUK
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Akgül G, Atalan Ergin D. School counselors' attitude toward online counseling services during the pandemic: The effects of resilience and digital self‐efficacy. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pits.22716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gülendam Akgül
- Department of Social Work Çankırı Karatekin University Cankiri Turkey
| | - Derya Atalan Ergin
- Department of Psychology Cappadocia University Mustafapasa Nevsehir Turkey
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Sánchez-Hernández Ó, Barkavi-Shani M, Bermejo RM. Promotion of Resilience and Emotional Self-Care in Families and Health Professionals in Times of COVID-19. Front Psychol 2022; 13:879846. [PMID: 35422740 PMCID: PMC9001946 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.879846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Merav Barkavi-Shani
- Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Rosa María Bermejo
- Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Panourgia C, Wezyk A, Ventouris A, Comoretto A, Taylor Z, Yankouskaya A. Individual factors in the relationship between stress and resilience in mental health psychology practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Health Psychol 2021; 27:2613-2631. [PMID: 34875921 PMCID: PMC9483698 DOI: 10.1177/13591053211059393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Utilising an online survey, this study aimed to investigate the
concurrent effects of pre-pandemic and COVID-19 stress on resilience
in Mental Health Psychology Practitioners (MHPPs)
(n = 325), focussing on the
mediation effects of specific individual factors. Optimism, burnout
and secondary traumatic stress, but not coping strategies,
self-efficacy, compassion satisfaction, or self-compassion, mediated
both the relationship between pre-pandemic stress and resilience and
COVID-19 stress and resilience. Increased job demands caused by the
pandemic, the nature and duration of COVID-19 stress may explain this
finding. Training and supervision practices can help MHPPs deal with
job demands under circumstances of general and extreme stress.
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Litam SDA, Stephen Lenz A. Moderation of attachment on association between relationship status and depression. JOURNAL OF COUNSELING AND DEVELOPMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jcad.12410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stacey Diane Arañez Litam
- Counseling, Administration, Supervision, and Adult Learning Department Cleveland State University Cleveland Ohio USA
| | - A. Stephen Lenz
- Department of Counseling, Health, and Kinesiology Texas A&M University San Antonio USA
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