Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian psychotherapists
Abstract This research focused on the intricacies of mental health within the psychotherapist community, a domain currently understudied. A recent study suggests a better overall mental health profile for Austrian psychotherapists compared to the general population. However, a substantial proportion...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54372-7 |
| _version_ | 1797274704696836096 |
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| author | Yvonne Schaffler Thomas Probst Christoph Pieh Barbara Haid Elke Humer |
| author_facet | Yvonne Schaffler Thomas Probst Christoph Pieh Barbara Haid Elke Humer |
| author_sort | Yvonne Schaffler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This research focused on the intricacies of mental health within the psychotherapist community, a domain currently understudied. A recent study suggests a better overall mental health profile for Austrian psychotherapists compared to the general population. However, a substantial proportion of psychotherapists still exhibited scores beyond the cut-off for clinically significant mental disorders, potentially undermining the efficacy of patient outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted between April to June 2023, enrolling a cohort of 502 Austrian psychotherapists (79.7% female; mean age: 53.4 ± 9.26 years). The analysis leveraged indicators for symptoms of depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), insomnia (ISI-2), stress (PSS-4), and overall well-being (WHO-5). Key correlations were revealed using multivariable logistic regressions incorporating sociodemographic, work-related, and health behavior variables. Mental health symptoms in psychotherapists were associated with lower income, lesser physical activity, employment in outpatient facilities, less experience in the field, and a smaller patient load. Notably, physical activity emerged as a significant protective component, underscoring regular exercise as a vital self-care routine for psychotherapists. Adequate income also presented as a crucial contributor to mental health stability. These findings augment our understanding of the complex dynamics influencing psychotherapists' mental health, potentially enhancing their well-being and optimizing professional output. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:02:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-24a1eabc61dc4435bd45c2ab13b12ad8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:02:06Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-24a1eabc61dc4435bd45c2ab13b12ad82024-03-05T19:03:12ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-02-0114111110.1038/s41598-024-54372-7Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian psychotherapistsYvonne Schaffler0Thomas Probst1Christoph Pieh2Barbara Haid3Elke Humer4Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education KremsDivision of Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Paris Lodron University SalzburgDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education KremsAustrian Federal Association for PsychotherapyDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education KremsAbstract This research focused on the intricacies of mental health within the psychotherapist community, a domain currently understudied. A recent study suggests a better overall mental health profile for Austrian psychotherapists compared to the general population. However, a substantial proportion of psychotherapists still exhibited scores beyond the cut-off for clinically significant mental disorders, potentially undermining the efficacy of patient outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted between April to June 2023, enrolling a cohort of 502 Austrian psychotherapists (79.7% female; mean age: 53.4 ± 9.26 years). The analysis leveraged indicators for symptoms of depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), insomnia (ISI-2), stress (PSS-4), and overall well-being (WHO-5). Key correlations were revealed using multivariable logistic regressions incorporating sociodemographic, work-related, and health behavior variables. Mental health symptoms in psychotherapists were associated with lower income, lesser physical activity, employment in outpatient facilities, less experience in the field, and a smaller patient load. Notably, physical activity emerged as a significant protective component, underscoring regular exercise as a vital self-care routine for psychotherapists. Adequate income also presented as a crucial contributor to mental health stability. These findings augment our understanding of the complex dynamics influencing psychotherapists' mental health, potentially enhancing their well-being and optimizing professional output.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54372-7PsychotherapistMental healthDepressionAnxietyInsomniaStress |
| spellingShingle | Yvonne Schaffler Thomas Probst Christoph Pieh Barbara Haid Elke Humer Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian psychotherapists Scientific Reports Psychotherapist Mental health Depression Anxiety Insomnia Stress |
| title | Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian psychotherapists |
| title_full | Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian psychotherapists |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian psychotherapists |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian psychotherapists |
| title_short | Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian psychotherapists |
| title_sort | prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among austrian psychotherapists |
| topic | Psychotherapist Mental health Depression Anxiety Insomnia Stress |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54372-7 |
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