Coping, Mindfulness, Stress, and Burnout among Forensic Health Care Professionals

Abstract

ABSTRACTAlthough working within forensic services can often prove emotionally challenging and stressful, there has been a surprising lack of research into potential interventions aimed at addressing stress and burnout experienced by forensic health care professionals (FHCPs). This study investigated the role of coping and dispositional mindfulness on stress and burnout among FHCPs employed within secure hospitals. One hundred and fifty-one FHCPs were recruited from five different low and medium secure hospitals (secure psychiatric units) in Wales. A postal research pack was used to collect background information and measures of coping, dispositional mindfulness, stress, and burnout. The study found that FHCPs reported elevated levels of stress and moderate levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization but retained a positive sense of personal accomplishment. Higher mindfulness skills were found to be significantly associated with lower levels of maladaptive coping, stress, and burnout. Higher levels of maladaptive coping significantly predicted elevated levels of stress and emotional exhaustion and lower levels of personal accomplishment. In relation to mindfulness, higher levels of acting with awareness significantly predicted lower levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. The results appeared to support the commonly held assertion that forensic services can be stressful and emotionally challenging working environments, which can cause FHCPs to experience elevated levels of burnout and stress. Higher levels of dispositional mindfulness were significantly associated with lower maladaptive coping, stress, and burnout levels, therefore mindfulness based interventions could prove to be viable strategies to help support FHCPs. The results also suggested that higher levels of acting with awareness may help prevent FHCPs from experiencing emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.