Alena A Zolotareva, Julia S Vitko, Elena V Kazennaya
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Empirical evidence highlights that psychotherapists and applied psychologists experience stress, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, secondary traumatic stress, and other symptoms of somatic and psychological distress. Although studies suggest that volunteering can protect somatic and psychological well-being in the general population, these relationships have not been investigated in mental health professionals.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the role of volunteering and work-related characteristics in symptoms of somatic and psychological distress among psychotherapists and applied psychologists.
Design: The study had a cross-sectional design. The participants were psychotherapists and applied psychologists who provided volunteer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy sessions. One hundred and twenty volunteer EMDR therapists filled out the forms measuring somatic, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, job satisfaction, meaningfulness of work, and engagement in volunteering.
Results: Correlation analyses showed that symptoms of somatic and psychological distress were negatively associated with job satisfaction, vigor in volunteering, and dedication in volunteering. Regression analyses revealed that vigor in volunteering was the only significant negative predictor of somatic (β = -.247, p = .049), anxiety (β = -.263, p = .004), and depressive symptoms (β = -.263, p = .034).
Conclusion: This study contributes to our knowledge of the benefits of volunteering for the somatic and psychological well-being of EMDR therapists. From a practical standpoint, these findings suggest that psychotherapists and applied psychologists might be encouraged to frame pro bono work as a form of emotional and professional self-regulation. Furthermore, training programs could integrate pro bono activities into their curricula.
期刊介绍：
Established in 2008, the Russian Psychological Society''s Journal «Psychology in Russia: State of the Art» publishes original research on all aspects of general psychology including cognitive, clinical, developmental, social, neuropsychology, psychophysiology, psychology of labor and ergonomics, and methodology of psychological science. Journal''s list of authors comprises prominent scientists, practitioners and experts from leading Russian universities, research institutions, state ministries and private practice. Addressing current challenges of psychology, it also reviews developments in novel areas such as security, sport, and art psychology, as well as psychology of negotiations, cyberspace and virtual reality. The journal builds upon theoretical foundations laid by the works of Vygotsky, Luria and other Russian scientists whose works contributed to shaping the psychological science worldwide, and welcomes international submissions which make major contributions across the range of psychology, especially appreciating the ones conducted in the paradigm of the Russian psychological tradition. It enjoys a wide international readership and features reports of empirical studies, book reviews and theoretical contributions, which aim to further our understanding of psychology.
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