Prevalence of distress and its impact on professional quality of life among clinical psychologists and psychiatrists

Abstract

Aim of the study was to assess prevalence of distress among Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists and its relationship with Burnout (BO), Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and Compassion Satisfaction (CS) by using self-report questionnaires including Professional Quality of Life Scale (version v) and Psychological Distress scale. Sample consists of 150 clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. Results indicated that 53.3% (n=40) psychiatrists and 30.7% (n=23) clinical psychologists experience distress. It is also found that psychiatrists scored high on BO and STS as compared to psychologists. Distress is found to have significant positive correlation with BO and STS and negative correlation with CS. Cross sectional design of the study do not allow the researcher to measure level of distress, CS, STS and BO when professionals entered in the field. Future researcher should consider longitudinal approach and sample must include social workers and nurses who also came across with trauma victims and can experience distress and CF. It is very important to assess the mental health of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists so that appropriate strategies can be developed to minimized distress and CF. If mental health of professionals is improved it will result in enhanced care delivered to their clients.