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Integrating Self-Determination and Job Demands–Resources Theory in Predicting Mental Health Provider Burnout

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Abstract

Limited progress has been made in reducing burnout in mental health professionals. Accordingly, we identified factors that might protect against burnout and could be productive focal areas for future interventions. Guided by self-determination theory, we examined whether supervisor autonomy support, self-efficacy, and staff cohesion predict provider burnout. 358 staff from 13 agencies completed surveys. Higher levels of supervisor autonomy support, self-efficacy, and staff cohesion were predictive of lower burnout, even after accounting for job demands. Although administrators may be limited in their ability to reduce job demands, our findings suggest that increasing core job resources may be a viable alternative.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH 1R03MH101418-01 and NIMH 1R21MH096835). Dr. McGuire is supported by a grant through VA RR&D (D0712-W). The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI), 402 N. Blackford St., LD 120A, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Kimberly C. Dreison, Dominique A. White, Sarah M. Bauer, Michelle P. Salyers & Alan B. McGuire

  2. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA

    Sarah M. Bauer & Alan B. McGuire

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  1. Kimberly C. Dreison
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  2. Dominique A. White
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  3. Sarah M. Bauer
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  4. Michelle P. Salyers
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  5. Alan B. McGuire
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Correspondence to Kimberly C. Dreison.

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Dreison, K.C., White, D.A., Bauer, S.M. et al. Integrating Self-Determination and Job Demands–Resources Theory in Predicting Mental Health Provider Burnout. Adm Policy Ment Health 45, 121–130 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-016-0772-z

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