Internal and external factors in professional burnout of substance abuse counsellors in Croatia

Abstract

Abstract. aim. In this study, burnout and its internal and external factors were investigated among substance abuse counsellors (no. = 68) who worked in centres for Prevention and Substance Abuse Treatment (no. = 18) in croatia. Methods. Maslach Burnout Inventory was used which measured three burnout dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment; and questionnaire of internal and external burnout factors. Results. The higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and the higher level of personal accomplishment were determined. Factors such as work conditions, emotions about us and work, work organization and certain personality traits showed significant relationship with three burnout dimensions. Conclusions. Overall, findings implicated a certain specificity of professional burnout in substance abuse counsellors, and the need for specific design of mental health care for them.Key words: professional burnout, substance abuse, counsellors. Riassunto (Fattori interni ed esterni nel burnout professionale tra gli operatori nel campo delle sostanze d'abuso in Croatia). Scopo. In questo studio è stata effettuata un'indagine sul burnout tra gli operatori per le sostanze d'abuso (no. = 68) che avevano lavorato in centri per la prevenzione e trattamento per sostanze d'abuso (no. = 18) in croazia. Metodi. Sono stati considerati i fattori interni ed esterni connessi al burnout. Sono stati utilizzati il Maslach Burnout Inventory che misura tre dimensioni del burnout: esaurimento emozionale, depersonalizzazione e realizzazione personale e un questionario per i fattori interni ed esterni di burnout. Risultati. Sono stati determinati livelli più elevati di esaurimento emozionale e depersonalizzazione, come anche più alti livelli di soddisfazione personale. Una significativa relazione con tre dimensioni del burnout è emersa per fattori quali le condizioni di lavoro, le emozioni, l'organizzazione del lavoro ed alcuni tratti di personalità. Conclusioni. Nell'insieme, quanto emerso suggerisce una certa specificità di burnout professionale tra gli operatori nel campo delle sostanze d'abuso e la necessità, per loro, di un piano specifico di vigilanza per la salute mentale.Parole chiave: burnout professionale, sostanze d'abuso, operatori.Internal and external factors in professional burnout of substance abuse counsellors in croatia (a)

The Impact of Behavioral Symptoms of Burnout on Work Engagement of Older Employees: The Case of Slovenian Companies

“…and some external factors, e.g., poor work organization, inadequate preparation for concrete work, lack of organizational support, professional isolation, etc. Internal factors include feelings about themselves and about job (see, e.g., Tatalović Vorkapić & Mustapić, 2012).…”

Counsellors’ Emotions at Work: What Can We Learn from Their Experiences?

“…A high level of burnout has been found among substance abuse counsellors, which can be attributed to a wide range of internal and external factors such as emotions, personality traits, work conditions, and work organisation (Vorkapić & Mustapić, 2012). It has also been reported that counselling professionals are prone to develop three classic burnout symptoms: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment, especially are handling clients with substance abuse problems (Bakker et al, 2001).…”

“…It has also been reported that counselling professionals are prone to develop three classic burnout symptoms: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment, especially are handling clients with substance abuse problems (Bakker et al, 2001). Although some studies disclosed that a high level of self-consciousness and mindfulness could help counsellors buffer the negative effects of working with traumatic clients (Ender et al, 2019;Gutierrez & Mullen, 2016;Hardiman & Simmonds, 2013), many other studies showed that a high degree of empathetic demand and frequent exposure to clients could significantly create perfect conditions for occupational hazards (Baldwin-White, 2016;Vorkapić & Mustapić, 2012)…”