The hidden toll : a qualitative single case study exploring burnout among mental health therapists in the Texas Panhandle.

The Texas Panhandle is grappling with a significant shortage of mental health providers, a challenge mirrored in many regions across the United States. This scarcity not only impedes access to essential mental health care but also exacerbates the strain on existing mental health professionals, contributing to widespread burnout. Addressing this issue is crucial for improving the availability of mental health services and the support structures for those working within this high-demand field. The pressing need to understand and mitigate the factors contributing to burnout among mental health therapists in underserved regions is paramount for fostering a more resilient mental health workforce. This qualitative single case study explored mental health therapists' perceptions of the job conditions, demands, and resources related to their work at an inpatient mental health treatment facility. The research was conducted at an inpatient mental health treatment facility serving residents from all 26 counties in the Texas Panhandle and neighboring states. The study focused on mental health therapists employed full-time, part-time, or on a per diem basis at the research site. All participants held a master's degree and were licensed to practice in Texas. The study included four mental health therapists with different licenses and experience levels, ranging from newly hired to more seasoned professionals. The participants had an average of six years of experience in the mental health field. Data were collected from multiple sources, including Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey scores and responses to questionnaires and interviews. This study identifies key factors contributing to burnout among mental health therapists and their relationship to the provider shortage and offers practical insights for addressing both issues. These factors include the need for continuous training, addressing vicarious trauma, improving recognition and understanding of mental health therapists' roles, alleviating workforce shortages, and enhancing organizational support and resources. The findings are consistent with the job demands-resources theoretical framework developed by Demerouti et al. (2001), which guided this study. This study provides practical solutions for key decision-makers in the Texas Panhandle's mental health field to prevent and manage burnout.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Havel, Rene L., 1976-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Meyer, Melanie S.

• Burnout.
• Job demands.
• Job resources.
• Job satisfaction.
• Recruitment.
• Retention.
• Qualitative.
• Single case study.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13605

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13605