"School Psychologist Self-care Practices and Burnout Symptoms" by Mary Jean Rainsford

Date of Submission

2020

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

School Psychology

Department Chair

Jessica Glass Kendorski, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D

First Advisor

Jessica Glass Kendorski, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D

Second Advisor

Katy E Tresco, PhD

Third Advisor

Paul Haughton, PsyD

Abstract

School psychologists face a host of responsibilities and stressors in their profession. Burnout is a common issue among school psychologists and other helping professionals. Self-care has been noted as a preventative measure against burnout, but there is little extant research on its relationship to burnout. A survey was conducted with currently practicing school psychologists in the United States to find a connection between the presence and frequency of self-care practice and burnout symptoms. The survey found considerable differences in burnout scores between school psychologists who reported practicing self-care, compared to those who did not. Moreover, significant inverse correlations were found between self-care frequency and burnout symptoms. This study helps contribute to the rationale for demonstrating self-care as an evidence-based preventative approach to burnout in school psychologists.

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