Quality of Life and Experiences of Psychological Distress and Burnout Among Aotearoa New Zealand Psychologists
This study aims to explore quality of life, psychological distress and experiences of burnout among practising psychologists in an Aotearoa New Zealand context. While a large amount of research has examined the experiences of health professionals internationally, little research has been undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand, despite high turnover numbers and anecdotal reports of distress among psychologists. Identifying to what degree psychologists are experiencing psychological distress and burnout symptoms, what they perceive as the causative factors, and what techniques they personally use to protect against psychological distress and burnout is crucial information to understand and retain the mental health services offered within New Zealand. This study utilises a mixed methods approach. A cross-sectional online survey of Aotearoa New Zealand practising psychologists was employed, assessing Professional Quality of Life, burnout and psychological distress using the DASS-21 and ProQOL-5 measures. A statistical analysis of these measures was undertaken, followed by an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) of open ended qualitative questions, which explored how psychologists viewed and interacted with burnout as a concept, as well as what they perceived to be the causative factors of psychologist burnout. An additional explanatory-sequential mixed-methods approach was utilised, exploring the thematic content differences between two cohorts, those experiencing the highest and lowest degrees of psychological distress within the survey. Results from each technique were contrasted to develop an overall picture of quality of life, psychological distress and experiences of burnout within Aotearoa New Zealand practicing psychologists. Psychologists described their frustrations at working within the mental health system in Aotearoa New Zealand, due to issues with high case loads, professional isolation, and difficulties with management. No clinically significant levels of burnout were measured in this sample, however a large cohort were seen to be at-risk of developing burnout. The study suggests that burnout will 7 continue to be a major issue impacting psychologists, unless increases to the number of practicing staff and potentially systemic changes are undertaken.
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