Burdens and resources of Austrian clinical psychologists: results of a qualitative study two years into the COVID-19 pandemic

期刊论文
出版模式：

开放获取
发表日期：

2024年4月13日

查看全文

Andrea Jesser,
Agnes Steinböck,
Barbara Pammer,
Tiam Ghorab,
Magdalena Weber,
Yvonne Schaffler,
Thomas Probst,
Anna Felnhofer,
Oswald D. Kothgassner,
Christoph Pieh,
Elke Humer

摘要

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the mental health burden in the general population, enhancing the demands placed on mental healthcare professionals.

Methods

This study aimed to assess the burdens and resources of clinical psychologists that emerged since the beginning of the pandemic. N = 172 Austrian clinical psychologists participated in a cross-sectional online survey between April and May 2022. The burdens and the sources of support that emerged during the pandemic were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Mental health-related issues were identified as the greatest burden, followed by work-related themes and restrictions imposed by the government to combat the spreading of the virus. The most important resources mentioned by the clinical psychologists were social contacts and recreational activities. Practising mindfulness and focusing on inner processes and work-related aspects were further important resources mentioned.

Conclusion

Overall, it seems that clinical psychologists have a high awareness of mental health-related problems related to the pandemic and use adaptive coping strategies to deal with them.