EFFECT OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS ON BURNOUT AND ALEXITHYMIA AMONG MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Background: The present study adds to the literature of occupational stress, burnout and alexithymia by examining the effect of occupational stress on burnout and alexithymia among mental health professionals. Method: A purposive sample of 100 mental health professionals which included 50 psychologists and 50 psychiatrists completed the questionnaire that included demographic sheet asking age, gender, qualification, years of experience, monthly income, and hospital sector and Maslach Burnout Inventory, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Occupational stress scale. Results: The data was analyzed using correlation, regression and t test. The regression findings illustrate that occupational stress is a significant predictor of burnout and alexithymia. The t-test findings illustrate that there is high occupational stress in male mental health professionals (41.82±4.52) than female (38.94±6.55)  and the mean scores on burnout shows higher burnout tendency in male mental health professionals (87.84±5.22) than female (79.08±9.19). It also illustrate that there is high burnout in psychiatrist (88.68±7.89)  than psychologist (82.90±10.45) and higher mean score difference on alexithymia in psychiatrists (81.74±5.00)  than psychologists (77.14±8.72). Conclusion: The purpose of conducting this research was to spread awareness among the mental health professionals to care after their physical and mental health as they are the care taker of individual suffering from emotional distress.