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Understanding how mental health professionals in Singapore voluntary welfare organisations deal with work stress
Author
Chin, Xinyu
Supervisor
Lee, Boon Ooi
Abstract
Stress experienced by mental health professionals (MHPs) should not be underestimated. How work-related stress is dealt with can have an impact on their own well-being, work with their clients, and performance within the organisation. When stress becomes too overwhelming, it can lead to burnout. Studies in other countries have shown that perfectionism, appraisal and coping have been associated with burnout symptoms (Stoeber & Rennert, 2008; Ulrich, Lambert, & McCarthy, 2012; Wallace, Lee, & Lee, 2010). However, there is paucity in the literature on the local MHPs, making it challenging to understand how MHPs locally cope, let alone intervene when necessary. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was multi-fold. Firstly, it sought to provide descriptive on the sources of stress and level of stress experienced by MHPs in local voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs). Secondly, it examined if there is a relationship between perfectionism and appraisal. Thirdly, coping as a mediator between appraisal and burnout symptoms was tested. Lastly, mediation-testing of coping on perfectionism and burnout symptoms was also examined. 83 MHPs consisting of counsellors, social workers and psychologists employed in local VWOs completed a series of online questionnaires. Heavy workload was reported as the highest source of pressure at their workplace. Overall, results also suggest that they engaged in their work. It was also found that adaptive perfectionism was positively correlated with challenge appraisal, while maladaptive perfectionism was positively correlated with threat appraisal. Mediation of venting and behavioural disengagement on threat appraisal and emotional exhaustion, mediation of behavioural disengagement and self-blame on threat appraisal and depersonalisation was found to be significant. There was also significant mediation of venting and behavioural disengagement on adaptive perfectionism and emotional exhaustion while behavioural disengagement mediated the relationship between adaptive perfectionism and depersonalisation. Venting and behavioural disengagement mediated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and emotional exhaustion. Behavioural disengagement also mediated the maladaptive perfectionism-depersonalisation relationship. Implications of these findings, limitations of the study and future directions were discussed in the paper.
Date Issued
2014
Call Number
BF575.S75 Chi
Date Submitted
2014