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GIANLUCA LO COCO

Attachment anxiety, reflective functioning and well-being as predictors of burn-out and psychological distress among psychotherapists: A longitudinal study

  • Autori: Brugnera A.; Zarbo C.; Scalabrini A.; Compare A.; Mucci C.; Carrara S.; Tasca G.A.; Hewitt P.; Greco A.; Poletti B.; Esposito R.; Cattafi F.; Zullo C.; Lo Coco G.
  • Anno di pubblicazione: 2023
  • Tipologia: Articolo in rivista
  • OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/624838

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to longitudinally investigate the effects of individual's factors on subsequent burn-out/psychological distress in a sample of mental health practitioners, testing if higher attachment anxiety and avoidance and lower reflective functioning (i.e., certainty and uncertainty of mental states) and well-being at baseline may lead to a greater psychological distress and burn-out 1 year later. Methods: The sample consisted of 40 experienced psychotherapists (females: 72.5%; mean age: 47.40 years) who completed a battery of questionnaires at baseline and 1 year later. Statistical analyses were conducted with Bayesian multiple linear regressions. Results: Greater attachment anxiety and certainty about mental states and lower individual's well-being at baseline predicted greater burn-out 1 year later. Similarly, greater attachment anxiety and lower individual's well-being at baseline predicted psychological distress at 1 year follow-up. Of note, uncertainty of mental states and avoidant attachment were not associated with outcomes. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the levels of burn-out and psychological distress among psychotherapists may be alleviated with interventions targeting attachment insecurity, specific aspects of reflective functioning (i.e., certainty about mental states) and well-being.