Ugwoke SC, Eseadi C, Onuigbo LN, Aye EN, Akaneme IN, Oboegbulem AI, Ezenwaji IO, Nwobi AU, Nwaubani OO, Ezegbe BN, Ede MO, Orji CT, Onuoha JC, Onu EU, Okeke F, Agu P, Omeje JC, Omeke F, Ugwu R, Arumede F, Eneh A. A rational-emotive stress management intervention for reducing job burnout and dysfunctional distress among special education teachers: An effect study.
Medicine (Baltimore) 2018;
97:e0475. [PMID:
29703004 PMCID:
PMC5944538 DOI:
10.1097/md.0000000000010475]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Job-related burnout and distress are adverse stress responses which affect individuals in their occupational environment. This study aimed at investigating the effect of a rational-emotive stress management program on job burnout and dysfunctional distress among special education teachers in Nigeria.
METHODS
A pretest-posttest randomized control group design was used. The participants in the study were 54 special education teachers. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Participants were allocated to either the treatment group (n = 28 [59.1%]) or the waitlist control group (n = 26 [48.1%]), respectively. A rational-emotive stress management manual was used to deliver the intervention. We statistically analyzed the data collected at three-time points with repeated-measures analysis of variance.
RESULTS
At baseline, the job-related burnout symptoms and distress scores of participants were high. However, an intention-to-treat analysis showed that the rational-emotive stress management intervention program was efficacious in reducing the levels of job-related burnout symptoms and dysfunctional distress among participants assigned to the treatment group, compared to a waitlisted group at post-treatment and follow-up meetings.
CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of a rational-emotive stress management intervention in reducing the level of job-related burnout and distress in a sample of special education teachers in Nigeria. Occupational health counsellors and other clinicians with sufficient knowledge of rational-emotive behavior therapy framework are urged to employ this approach in assisting other employees in managing job burnout symptoms, and distress.
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