Positive Psychotherapy for Reducing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in Rehabilitation Staff
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Abstract
Introduction: Positive psychology can be the antidote to fatigue and burnout in environments where workers face disability, adversity, and suffering. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy based on the PERMA flourishing model in reducing occupational burnout and compassion fatigue among staff working in rehabilitation centers affiliated with the Welfare Organization — an understudied population whose wellbeing may affect service quality and client outcomes.
Materials and Methods: A single-case experimental design was used with five rehabilitation staff members in Yazd, Iran. Participants received eight weekly sessions of the PERMA flourishing program. Burnout and compassion fatigue were assessed before, during, and after the intervention, with clinical improvement evaluated using the Reliable Change Index (RCI).
Results: The results demonstrated a significant reduction in burnout and compassion fatigue, with an acceptable percentage of improvement and RCI values exceeding 1.96 (p < 0.05). For emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and secondary traumatic stress, RCI values exceeded 2.58 (p < 0.01), with improvement percentages ranging from 23–100%, 52–64%, and 24–80%, respectively. For compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress, RCI values ranged from 1.96 to 2.58 (p < 0.05–0.01), with improvement percentages of 14–48%, 25–52%, and 23–33%, respectively. These results indicate statistically and clinically meaningful improvements following the PERMA flourishing intervention.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the PERMA flourishing program may serve as an effective intervention for reducing occupational burnout and compassion fatigue among rehabilitation personnel.
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| Issue | Articles in Press | |
| Section | Research Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Professional burnout; Compassion fatigue; Rehabilitation; Positive psychology | ||
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