Protestant pastors in America are leaders who provide guidance in spiritual matters to millions of people. The demands of their work can be stressful and overwhelming, leading to burnout. Burnout results in some pastors leaving their leadership positions, which has a negative impact on the members of the congregation as well as the pastors themselves. This study's goal was to determine the perceived needs of pastors, in order to prevent burnout, and the kinds of resources they perceive would best meet their needs. This study utilized a qualitative approach in the collection, description, and analysis of data. The results revealed pastors feel over-extended and face unrealistic expectations in their work. Support systems, such as clergy groups may be helpful in combating these. Taking time off, spiritual renewal practices, and exercise are some important practices many of the pastors in this study agreed would be beneficial as well. / Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology

Stress is a construct that has received a great deal of attention in both the scientific and popular literature. particular type of job related stress experienced by human service professionals is burnout. If effective coping strategies to minimize or avoid burnout are present, one's job can remain interesting and challenging. However, if coping strategies are ineffective or absent, the consequences can negatively affect job performance and satisfaction. This study used the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, and a demographic questionnaire to assess perceived burnout, the relative utilization of three coping styles (Task, Emotion, and Avoidance), and general background information, respectively, among 163 nurses in a 600+ bed midwestern, urban hospital. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between these three coping styles and the perception of burnout. The results showed no significant differences in burnout for any of the demographic variables studied. However, there were significant differences in burnout among the 14 hospital units evaluated. In addition when specific demographic variables and unit of primary assignment were controlled statistically, those nurses who utilized more emotion oriented coping styles reported the highest amount of burnout. There were no unit by coping style interactions found. Finally, suggestions for future research and recommedations for trainers and employers of nurses are provided. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between wellness and burnout among novice counselors. This research was carried out in order to gain a better understanding of the experience of the novice counselor as well as to gain insight into the effects of wellness and burnout on these experiences. The significance of this research lies in the need to understand the novice counselor's journey, the factors that can contribute to or prevent burnout, and the potential prevention and intervention strategies that can be employed in response to burnout. The data of a final sample of 144 participants' scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), The Five Factor Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle (5F-Wel), and a demographic questionnaire were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences in order to explore the relationships between wellness and burnout. The researcher found significant relationships between demographic factors of the novice counselor, including age, years of experience, and number of hours delivering counseling services, and both the MBI and the 5F-Wel. The researcher also found a relationship between all factors of wellness and the three subscales of burnout. A particularly important finding was the significance of the Coping Self, Physical Self, and Creative Self subscales of wellness to the subscales of burnout. The implications of the findings include the development of specific intervention and prevention strategies for novice counselors. Limitations of this research include the relatively small sample size, potential bias among the participants who chose to complete the survey, and the limited generalizability. / by Jennifer Bilot. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of Access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

The main problem under investigation was to determine whether or not statistically significant differences exist in the characteristics associated with stress-burnout tendencies and attrition rate of teachers prepared in a traditional elementary teacher education program and an experimental teacher education program.Secondly, the study examined the additional impact of an overseas experience in the experimental teacher education program. Results were analyzed to determine whether or not statistically significant differences existed between the experimental group and subgroup which went overseas.Population in the study consisted of the 1976 elementary education graduates of Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. Two instruments were sent to the subjects in the study. One was an 18-item questionnaire developed specifically for use in this research, The Class of '76 Follow-up Questionnaire, designed to gather data related to stress, burnout, attrition, and degree of satisfaction with the teaching profession. The second instrument, The Tedium Measure, was developed by Pines and Aronson (1980) and has been used to measure burnout. Questionnaires were mailed to the population sample of 248, with 194 returned (78.2%).The program used for the calculation of group variances and the t-value was the SPSS-X, on the VAX computer. The t-test was employed to determine statistical significance between the responses of the various groups. The .05 level of significance was used as the criterion for significance.Findings Statistical significance of the difference between groups within the elementary education program at Ball State University was found in eight areas of The Class of '76 Follow-up Questionnaire.These findings support a conclusion that graduates who participated in the experimental elementary education (EXEL) program held more positive views of professional teacher education, teaching experiences, and future years in teaching.

Stress among nurses is still perceived as a challenge experienced by the nursing profession. Several studies have shown the negative impact of stress on both nurses and patients. However, little is known about the factors influencing stress among nurses in Rwanda. Aim: The overall aim of the study was to explore the factors contributing to nurses’ stress and related coping strategies used by nurses in the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (UTHB), Rwanda. Methods: The researcher used a non-experimental, descriptive study to explore the factors contributing to nurses’ stress and related coping strategies used by nurses in the University Teaching Hospital of Butare, Rwanda. This study was informed by a stress and coping theoretical framework. A questionnaire was used to collect the demographic characteristics of participants, while nurses’ stressors were assessed using the questionnaire of nurse’s stressors previously developed by Bianchi. The ways of coping were evaluated using the ways of coping elaborated by Folkman & Lazarus. A convenient sampling of 85 registered nurses, working at UTHB, participated in this study. Permission to conduct the study was requested and obtained from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Ethics Committee, the Kigali Health Institute -Institutional Review Board and the management of UTHB. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 15, and was summarized using descriptive statistics. The results were presented in tables and graphs. Results: The findings of the study revealed that registered nurses at UTHB face a variety of stressors such as shortages of staff and materials, facing death and dying, dissatisfaction with the work environment, work overload and time spent on bureaucratic activities. It was shown that consequences of stress vis-à-vis registered nurses could be low quality of care, job dissatisfaction and burnout syndrome. Among the major strategies of coping with stress, registered nurses have indicated problem solving, social support and accepting responsibility. This study indicates that stress can be prevented and managed by using vi nursing strategies such as team work, effective communication improving work conditions and fostering the managerial nursing strategies in working unit. Conclusion: Drawing from these findings, it can be inferred that nurses’ stressors need to be addressed in order to create a working environment conducive to high quality of care and also to enhance nursing staff morale, satisfaction, motivation and retention. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between hardiness and burnout in medicalsurgical staff nurses at a midwestern hospital. The conceptual framework used in the study was hardiness, developed by Kobasa (1979).The population selected for the study was medicalsurgical staff nurses at a midwestern hospital. The convenience sample consisted of responding staff nurses (n=41). Subject confidentiality was maintained by indicating respondents by number instead of name.The research design for the study was a descriptive correlational design. The research question was analyzed using the Pearson Moment Correlation Co-efficient. Findings of the study indicated a negative, significant correlation between Emotional Exhaustion Burnout subscale and hardiness (p=.001). A positive significant correlation was supported-between the Personal Accomplishment Burnout subscale and hardiness (p=.000). The Depersonalization Burnout Subscale and the overall Burnout Score did not support significant correlations in sample subjects studied.Conclusions from the study were that nurses need opportunities for increasing personal development and decreasing exhaustion. The depersonalization of the environment did not seem to be a factor related to hardiness, and remains to be examined. The study was significant because it was determined that certain subscalBall State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306 / School of Nursing

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among perceived stress, stressors, and coping mechanisms of nurses in the areas of the intensive care unit, coronary care unit, cardiac recovery unit, and the emergency room. It was proposed that nurses in these areas perceive environmental and job stressors for which they developed specific copingmechanisms. It was further proposed that a relationship exists between levels of stress and coping mechanisms used by nurses.All registered nurses (RN's) and licensed practical nurses (LPN's) in each of the above units at Ball Memorial Hospital who agreed to participate were included in the study. The nurses were surveyed by questionnaires which they completed during their leisure time and placed in a drop box on their unit. No names or signatures were asked for. Informed consent was implied by the completion and return of the questionnaire which included, the Nurse Stress Scale by Gray-Toft & Anderson (1981), a coping mechanism scale by Kelly & Cross (1985), and a demographic questionnaire. Demographic characteristics included age, gender, educational level, marital status, years of experience, and type of nurse (manager or staff and RN or LPN). No risks were foreseen to the participants. However, it is hoped that participants in the study were able to develop a greater awareness of job related stress and coping mechanisms employed.The design of the study was nonexperimental, descriptive, and correlational. The independent variable was work related stress and the dependent varible was coping mechanisms. Pearson's product moment correlation, t-test, and multivariate analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.The results indicated that there were sigificant relationships between five of the stress subscales, and selected coping mechanisms. Total stress was also found to have significant posititve correlations with four of the coping mechanisms. There were no significant differences between RNs and LPNs in general level of stress and in the seven subscales of stressors. / School of Nursing

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The impact of transpersonal psychology techniques presented in Capacitar workshops as a prevention intervention for burnout amongst HIV/Aids coordinator teachers has not been studied to date in South Africa. This research project utilised a mixed-method approach in a pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design. Educators from South Metro, who were HIV/Aids co-ordinators in their schools, were invited to attend six days in total of Capacitar workshops. Measures of their levels of stress and burnout were taken before and after the intervention. Thirty teachers volunteered to take part in the workshops and 27 completed the training. A control group (n=27) was chosen from a group of teachers in the Central and South Metros of the Western Cape, South Africa. The Capacitar workshops were presented by facilitators who had been trained and accredited by Dr Pat Cane, founder of Capacitar International, California, USA. The overall theoretical perspective adopted in the transformative approach was transpersonal psychology. While equal priority was given to both the quantitative and qualitative legs of the study, the quantitative data were gathered first. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was used to measure anxiety and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) was used to measure three dimensions of burnout: personal, work and client burnout. The means of the intervention and control groups of teachers were found to be similar on the BAI and CBI prior to the intervention. After the workshops, there were significant reductions in anxiety, personal and work burnout in the post-test measures of the intervention group. There were also significant differences in personal and work burnout of teachers between the intervention and control groups. Although reduction in the levels of anxiety and client burnout (working with children) was evident in the intervention group, this was not significant. The control group showed no significant improvement on any measures and in some cases, levels of burnout increased. Qualitative data in the form of global analysis of focus group interviews provided insights into the experience of workshop delegates, and their teaching contexts. To cope with work and personal stressors, teachers turned to physical (n=29), mental (n=17) and spiritual activities (n=15), with many (n=19) using negative coping tools. Individual line sketches, a collage of outliers and mind maps, together with portraits of delegates, highlighted the context and experiences in the Capacitar workshops. As a result of exposure to transpersonal practices, HIV/Aids coordinator teachers were first able to start the process of healing themselves, and then turn to their families, learners and the community at large to share the tools offered. The qualitative data also yielded sixteen themes: Increased consciousness; personal empowerment; role empowerment as carers; emotional intelligence; mindfulness; heart coherence; processing traumatic pain; multiculturalism; self-acceptance; light heartedness; interconnectedness, sharing; forgiveness; holistic, right brain healing; changing brain patterns; mind-body-spirit integration and a return to wholeness. The results of this study showed both quantitatively and qualitatively that transpersonal psychological techniques mediated burnout amongst HIV/Aids coordinator teachers in Metro South, Western Cape Education Department, Mitchells Plain, Cape Town. Recommendations are made in the light of the findings and the limitations of the study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die impak van transpersoonlike sielkundige tegnieke wat aangebied is in Capacitar werkswinkels, as „n voorkomings-intervensie rakende uitbranding op onderwysers wat as MIV/Vigs ko-ordineerders funksioneer, is nog nie voorheen in Suid-Afrika ondersoek nie. Hierdie navorsingsprojek het „n kwantitatiewe-kwalitatiewe benadering gebruik met ‟n vooren natoets kwasi-eksperimentele ontwerp. Opvoeders van die suidelike metropool/grootstad wat werk as MIV/Vigs ko-ordineerders in hulle skool, is uitgenooi om altesaam ses dae van die Capacitar werkswinkels by te woon. Die deelnemers se vlakke van stres en ooreising is voor en na die intervensie gemeet. Dertig onderwysers was gewillig om deel te neem aan die werkwinkels en sewe-en-twintig het die opleiding voltooi. „n Kontrole groep (n=27) is gekies vanuit „n groep onderwysers in die sentrale en suidelike metropool van die Wes-Kaap, Suid- Afrika. Die Capacitar werkswinkels is aangebied deur geakkrediteerde fasiliteerders wat opgelei is deur dr. Pat Cane, die stigter van Capacitar Internasionaal, California, VSA. Transpersoonlike sielkunde is die oorhoofse teoretiese perspektief wat gehandhaaf is in die transformatiewe benadering. Alhoewel gelyke prioriteit verleen is aan beide die kwantitatiewe en die kwalitatiewe komponente van die studie, is die kwantitatiewe data eerste ingesamel. Die “Beck Anxiety Inventory” (BAI) en die “Copenhagen Burnout Inventory” (CBI) is gebruik om die drie dimensies van uitbranding te bepaal: Persoonlike-, werk- en kliëntooreising. Daar is vasgestel dat die gemiddeldes van die intervensie en die kontrole groepe dieselfde is vir die BAI en die CBI meet-instrumente voordat die intervensie aangebied is. Betekenisvolle verskille is gevind met die na-toets vir die intervensie-groep, naamlik die vermindering van angs, persoonlike- en werks-ooreising. Daar is ook betekenisvolle verskille getoon in persoonlike en werksuitbranding tussen die intervensie en die kontrole groepe. Alhoewel nie betekenisvol nie, het daar „n duidelike vermindering in die vlakke van angs en kliënt-ooreising (werk met kinders), voorgekom in die intervensie-groep. Die kontrole groep het geen betekenisvolle verbetering getoon met betrekking tot enige van die meet-instrumente nie, en in sommige gevalle het die vlakke van uitbranding toegeneem. Kwalitatiewe data in die vorm van die globale analise van fokusgroep-onderhoude het insigte verskaf rakende die ervaring van die deelnemers, en hul kontekste van onderrig. Onderwysers het fisiese (n=29), intellektuele (“mental”) (n=17) en spirituele aktiwiteite (n=15) gebruik, om werk-en persoonlike stressors te hanteer en vele opvoeders het (n=19) negatiewe hanteringmeganismes gebruik. Individuele lyn-sketse, „n collage/plakskildery van uitlopers en geheue-kaarte, tesame met foto-weergawes van die deelnemers het die konteks en belewings van die Capacitar werkwinkels gekenmerk. As gevolg van die blootstelling aan die transpersoonlike gebruike was dit in die eerste plek vir die MIV/Vigs onderwysers moontlik om self innerlike genesing te ervaar, en ook om hul familie, die leerders en die gemeenskap te bemagtig met die aangebode toerusting. Sestien tema‟s is geïdentifiseer met die kwalitatiewe studie: Verhoogde bewustheid; persoonlike bemagtiging; rol-bemagtiging as deernisvolle persoon; emosionele intelligensie; gefokusde belewing (“mindfulness”); sin vir koherensie; die verwerking van traumatiese pyn; multi-kulturalisme; lighartigheid; onderlinge verbondenheid; mededeelsaamheid; vergewing; holistiese, regterbrein-genesing; veranderde breinpatrone; liggaam-siel-gees integrasie en die herstel van heelheid. Die resultate van beide die kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe benadering het getoon dat transpersoonlike sielkundige tegnieke uitbranding bekamp onder onderwysers wat as MIV/Vigs ko-ordineerders werk in die suidelike metropool, Wes-Kaap departement van onderwys, Mitchells Plain, Kaapstad. Aanbevelings word aangebied in die lig van die bevindings, asook die beperkings van die studie.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study attempts to investigate the sources of stress and burnout in the social work profession and specifically in mental health settings. In order to achieve this, a literature study is undertaken which identified the sources of stress and burnout as external and internal stresses. External stresses can be identified as the administrative function of supervision, the educational function of supervision, and the relationship between the supervisor, the social worker and the client, aspects in the social work profession and the organisation. The personality and gender of the social worker are discussed as internal sources of stress. Social workers' experiences of stress and burnout are explored against the background of the socio-economic and political changes after the first democratic election in 1994 in South Africa. The literature review also indicated that there are peculiar stresses in mental health settings due to the clients' mental conditions. An exploratory study was undertaken in which 17 social workers in the Peninsula, working in mental health settings, participated. Information on the research topic was obtained by means of anonymous questionnaires. A group interview was arranged to ensure that all the questionnaires were received. It was found that since the 1994 democratic election, social workers worked under more stressful circumstances due to limited resources, restructuring, decreased manpower, a higher caseload, deinstitutionalisation of mental patients and an increased amount of uncertainty with regard to job security. Aspects in the social work profession that caused the most stress were identified as insufficient salaries and limited opportunities for promotion. The participants revealed uncertainty with regard to their future in the social work profession. Social workers acknowledge the importance of the supportive function of supervision but are also of the opinion that individuals should take responsibility to address burnout. Strategies that can be used by the social worker, the organisation and the supervisor to address burnout, are discussed. On the basis of the results and conclusion of the study, recommendations are made to supervisors, as well as further research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word ondersoek ingestel na die bronne van stres en uitbranding in die maatskaplikewerkberoep en spesifiek in 'n geestesgesondheidsopset. Ten einde hierin te slaag, word 'n literatuurstudie onderneem en word die bronne van stres en uitbranding geïdentifiseer as eksterne stressors soos byvoorbeeld die administratiewe funksie van supervisie, die onderrrigfunksie van supervisie, die verhouding tussen die supervisor en die maatskaplike werker, die klientsisteem, aspekte in die maatskaplikewerkberoep en die organisasie, en interne stressors waaronder die maatskaplike werker se persoonlikheid en geslag bespreek is. Die sosio-ekonomiese en politieke veranderinge wat ingetree het na die eerste demokratiese verkiesing in 1994 in Suid-Afrika is in ag geneem en maatskaplike werkers se belewing van stres en uitbranding is teen hierdie agtergrond verder ge-eksploreer. Die literatuurstudie dui aan dat eiesoortige stressors in 'n geestesgesondheidsopset bestaan wat hoofsaaklik verband hou met die unieke kliëntsisteem en hul siektestoestand. 'n Verkennende studie is onderneem waartydens maatskaplike werkers in die skiereiland wat in 'n geestesgesondheidsopset werk, betrek is. Inligting is bekom deur middel van anonieme vraelyste. 'n Groeponderhoud het verseker dat al die vraelyste terug ontvang is. Daar is bevind dat maatskaplike werkers onder meer stresvolle omstandighede voor die 1994 verkiesing vanwee beperkte hulpbronne, herstrukturering, verminderde mannekrag, verhoogde gevalleladings, deïnstitusionalisering van pasiënte en groter onsekerheid met betrekking tot werksekuriteit. Aspekte in die maatskaplikewerkberoep wat die meeste stres veroorsaak is onder andere onvoldoende vergoeding en beperkte bevorderingsgeleenthede. Die respondente weerspieël 'n onsekerheid met betrekking tot hul toekoms in die beroep. Maatskaplike werkers erken die belangrikheid van die ondersteuningsfunksie in supervisie, maar is ook van mening dat individue 'n verantwoordelikheid het om self uitbranding aan te spreek. Strategieë wat die maatskaplike werker, die organisasie en die supervisor kan aanwend om uitbranding aan te spreek word derhalwe bespreek. In die lig van die bevindinge van die ondersoek, word aanbevelings aan supervisors gemaak ten opsigte van verdere navorsing.

The social phenomenon of stress and workplace burnout has spanned over five decades. Despite a plethora of literature that exists, there still remain problematic issues that neither scientific investigation or government legislation have been able to resolve. The literature examined throughout this research is extensive and does reflect this 50-year period. It demonstrates that studies into this phenomenon have attempted to define stress, identify causal factors of workplace stress, workplace burnout and environmental congruence; and discusses strategies (focused on both the individual and organizational levels) that have been implemented to effect beneficial outcomes for individuals affected by any one of these. As this thesis continues, the more recent literature gives a greater recognition to violence in the workplace and legislative enactments as preventative measures to reduce the heavy burden of costs, both physical and financial, to organizations. This extensive literature review indicates no answer to the problem has been identified to date and that this phenomenon remains, giving a clear indication that further scientific investigation is required to find a solution to what was described as the most serious health issue of the 20th century. Based on the literature examined this health issue has now gone well beyond the 20th century, giving relevance to the research study described in this thesis. The investigation is validated as vital and should be used as a basis for further research. This study undertook a collaborative social process, action research, empowering participants to identify and change stressful factors identified within their practice indicative to rural remote community mental health teams. A critical social theory arose out of the problems within the context of the research setting, based on the ideal that the significant issues for this group of individuals within this organization could be solved through the action research process. The group ‘existed’ within the issues indicative to this rural remote area, however these issues were outside their control. Through the implementation of the action research process courses of actions were undertaken that provided enlightenment in self-knowledge with dialogue heightening collective empowerment to effect change within their practice. The action research process, being a holistic process, facilitated this change in practice, developed and refined theory as it proceeded in a cyclic fashion within this local setting. It concerned actual not abstract practices in the social world in which these participants practice. This methodology facilitated examining the significant stressors identified by the Community Mental Health Support Team (CMHST) that caused distress, allowing them to implement changes in their practice. The forum provided an avenue that could reduce stressors significantly and prevent ongoing occupational stress that contributes to workplace burnout. It offered an opportunity to work with a group of participants in a nonhierarchical and non-exploitative manner and enabled members of this group to identify their roles as effective practitioners, empowering them to effect the changes they deemed as essential criteria to reduce the stress they were experiencing indicative to their remoteness. Critical reviewing throughout the data collection attempted to understand and redefine these significant issues. It aimed to acknowledge the way things were relative to how things could be improved from organizational, personal and wider community perspectives. Simple principles and guidelines of action research were followed potentiating acceptance as a rigorous research approach from a positivist perspective whilst retaining the attributes that characterise action research. There are solutions to the dilemma of the employee overcoming the debilitating effects of stress leading to workplace burnout. This includes the cooperation of managers, policy makers, academic researchers and government officials working collaboratively to reduce the impact of occupational stress. Through this collaborative process, changes can be effected to ensure the health of the nation improves and that relevant recognition is given to the fact that there is a significant threat to a healthy workforce. Examining the nursing profession from a social perspective provides alternatives to medicalising workplace injuries and illnesses. / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2008