Lone working, self-efficacy and burnout : the potential moderating effects of reflecting team working in counselling settings

Abstract

Aims: To explore and understand the relationship between counselling self-efficacy, burnout, team climate, and the potential moderating effects of reflecting team working. The rise of lone working in the counselling profession has led to fewer opportunities for contacts with colleagues. Team working although widely researched in organisational psychology has not been extensively researched in the counselling workforce (Allen & Hecht 2004, Cordery 2003, Hackman 1987). Recent research has challenged the view that burnout can be classified as a single phenomenon (Ferber1990). Ferber using Banduras self efficacy theory as its basis (Bandura 1997, 2001), proposes three clinical presentations of burnout: Frenetic, Under Challenged and Worn-Out that lead to an increasing disengagement from work. This research points to new directions in studying burnout by assessing absorption, engagement and participation in work, and in studying workplace environments that promote this. This study investigates the experience of counsellors, psychotherapists and counselling psychologists differentiated by their working environment in a qualitative and quantitative study. Method: participants (N= 74) completed a survey package with three questionnaires (BCS36, CASES and TCI) and a demographic form. From the pool of the sample 15 semi structured interviews were conducted with 5 participants drawn from each working context. Data was analyzed using a mixed methods qualitative and quantitative design with converging data streams. Results: Team participation, acknowledgment and climate for innovation are predictors of burnout in the counselling population. The moderating role of working context is shown to have a significant effect on self efficacy. The analysis suggests that working alone leads to a significant relationship between team climate and self-efficacy. Author keywords: Team working, lone working, counselling settings, burnout, self efficacy, engagement, absorption participation, workplace, reflecting team, team climate