[Workplace problems and basic beliefs among mentally stressed employees of the Blaufeuer counseling: A mixed methods approach].

Abstract

The SEMpsych project offered the "Blaufeuer" counselling service for people with psychological impairments and work-related stress. Firstly, this study investigated whether the recognisably high variability in the work-related problem areas can be explained by statistically and quantitatively determinable profile types. Secondly, it was investigated whether typical patterns of individual problem constellations in the course of life and habitual imprints (latent basic convictions) of Blaufeuer counselling participants, which are associated with psychological stress, can be reconstructed in their interaction.A convergent-parallel mixed methods approach was used. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was carried out statistically and quantitatively with 457 participants in the Blaufeuer programme. Qualitatively, 16 guided individual interviews were analysed using a combination of grounded theory and narrative analysis.The LPA revealed seven profiles of characteristic work and occupational problems. The qualitative analysis identified six latent basic beliefs and individual problem constellations that can contribute to the description of vulnerability risks.Both typifications provide guidance for the high variability of work-related stressors. Specifically, the qualitative findings show the necessity to consider latent basic beliefs as well as individual life events and everyday stresses in addition to the types of work-related stressors for counselling.