Improving work-life balance among administrative officers in Catholic primary schools

Abstract

Objective: Work-life balance (WLB) is an essential precursor of workers’ mental health. The theory of rational emotive behaviour therapy proposes that an imbalance in work and family life may result from people's dysfunctional perceptions of their work and other aspects of their personal life. Also, the constructive philosophies of rational emotive behavior therapy are said to be congruent with most religious belief systems of Christian clients. Therefore, our research examined the efficacy of Christian religious rational emotive behaviour therapy (CRREBT) on WLB among administrative officers in Catholic primary schools. Methods: This is a group randomized trial involving 162 administrative officers from Catholic primary schools in Southeast Nigeria. The treatment process involved an 8-session CRREBT programme. Results: The scores for WLB of the administrative officers enrolled in the CRREBT programme were significantly improved compared to those in the control group at the end of the study. At the follow-up phase, the CRREBT programme proved to be effective over a 3-month period. Conclusion: CRREBT is an effective therapeutic strategy for managing WLB among Catholic school administrative officers.

Effect of a randomized group intervention for depression among Nigerian pre-service adult education teachers

“…These findings are similar to previous RREBT depression treatment research [27] which also reported significant Time effect as well as significant Time and Group interactions. Our findings also support those of Iremeka et al [22] and Uzodinma et al [24] whose RREBT-based studies demonstrated significant interactions of Time and Group on the outcome measures. The implication is that compliance to the RREBT treatment plans and timing is very crucial in achieving positive outcome or desired results, that is, significant decrease in symptoms.…”

“…[20,21] According to the RREBT model of treatment, a patient’s dogmatic religious beliefs can be examined by therapists in order to promote a mentally healthier self. [21,22] Common components of RREBT model involves the inclusion of scriptural contents and religious resources relevant to a patient’s religious traditions and religious orientations into the therapeutic process with the aim of improving their cognitive, emotional and behavioral symptoms. [22,23] Studies on the RREBT treatment approach, particularly, the Christian-oriented REBT model, showed that it had significant positive effects on the improvement of participants’ work-life balance, [22] family life, [24] and diminution of depression, automatic negative thoughts, irrational thoughts, [25] and patients’ general pathology.…”

“…[21,22] Common components of RREBT model involves the inclusion of scriptural contents and religious resources relevant to a patient’s religious traditions and religious orientations into the therapeutic process with the aim of improving their cognitive, emotional and behavioral symptoms. [22,23] Studies on the RREBT treatment approach, particularly, the Christian-oriented REBT model, showed that it had significant positive effects on the improvement of participants’ work-life balance, [22] family life, [24] and diminution of depression, automatic negative thoughts, irrational thoughts, [25] and patients’ general pathology. [26] Recent research also confirmed that the RREBT treatment approach is clinically effective in depression treatment among Christian student population.…”

Impact of occupational health coaching on irrational career beliefs and workplace deviant behaviors among school employees: Implications for Educational administrative policy

“…Employees’ career beliefs can be rational in which case, it leads to flexible, logical, appropriate, and adaptive emotions (e.g., feelings of sadness or regret for not reaching the desired goals) toward the progress of the organization. [52,53] It can as well be irrational in which case, such belief is not anchored on empirical reality and is always related to rigid, illogical, and non-extreme views (e.g., feelings of depression, anger, or humiliation of not reaching goals) which are bound to hinder the attainment of organizational objectives. [54,55]…”

“…Employees' career beliefs can be rational in which case, it leads to flexible, logical, appropriate, and adaptive emotions (e.g., feelings of sadness or regret for not reaching the desired goals) toward the progress of the organization. [52,53] It can as well be irrational in which case, such belief is not anchored on empirical reality and is always related to rigid, illogical, and non-extreme views (e.g., feelings of depression, anger, or humiliation of not reaching goals) which are bound to hinder the attainment of organizational objectives. [54,55] An irrational belief is seen in employees when they hold views that are basically controlled by their personal tendency and interest toward self, others, or situations in life (e.g., my colleagues "should, ought, or must always respect me"), hence, may always deviate from organizational norms or policies that do not support their beliefs.…”