Seton Hall University eRepository @ Seton Hall Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs) Summer 8-13-2014 Psychologist Self-Care, Perceived Stress, Psychological Distress, and Coping Self-Efficacy Across the Career-Span Krista L. Dettle [email protected] Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations Part of theCounseling Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Dettle, Krista L., "Psychologist Self-Care, Perceived Stress, Psychological Distress, and Coping Self-Efficacy Across the Career-Span" (2014).Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 2000. https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2000 PSYCHOLOGIST SELF-CARE, PERCEIVED STRESS, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, AND COPING SELF-EFFICACY ACROSS THE CAREER-SPAN BY KRISTA L. DETTLE Dissertation Committee: Laura K. Palmer, Ph.D., ABPP, Mentor Pamela F. Foley, Ph.D., ABPP Margaret Brady-Amoon, Ph.D. John E. Smith, Ed.D. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy Seton Hall University March 2014 © Copyright by Krista L. Dettle All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... v Dedications ........................................................................................................................ vi List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii CHAPTER I: Introduction .................................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................ 1 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................ 3 Research Questions ......................................................................................................... 4 Research Hypotheses ...................................................................................................... 4 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 5 Definitions....................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER II: Review of Literature ................................................................................... 7 Professional Psychologists .............................................................................................. 7 Perceived Stress ............................................................................................................ 12 Psychological Functioning: Distress ............................................................................. 15 Coping Self-Efficacy .................................................................................................... 21 Self-Care ....................................................................................................................... 23 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 26 CHAPTER III: Method ..................................................................................................... 27 Participants .................................................................................................................... 27 Power Analysis ............................................................................................................. 27 Measures ....................................................................................................................... 27 Procedure ...................................................................................................................... 30 CHAPTER IV: Results ..................................................................................................... 32 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 32 Descriptive Statistics ..................................................................................................... 32 Analyses ........................................................................................................................ 44 CHAPTER V: Discussion ................................................................................................. 53 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 53 Interpretation ................................................................................................................. 53 Implications and Future Research ................................................................................. 58 Limitations .................................................................................................................... 63 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 64 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 66 APPENDIX A: Self-Care Assessment Worksheet ........................................................... 81 APPENDIX B: Perceived Stress ...................................................................................... 83 APPENDIX C: Coping Self-Efficacy Scale ..................................................................... 85 ii APPENDIX D: Outcome Questionnaire-45 ..................................................................... 86 APPENDIX E: Demographic Questionnaire .................................................................... 89 APPENDIX F: Participant Recruitment Email ................................................................. 90 APPENDIX G: Informed Consent .................................................................................... 91 iii Abstract Psychologist self-care, perceived stress, psychological distress, and coping self-efficacy over the career-span Psychologists are expected to engage in self-care strategies aimed at promoting and maintaining well-functioning in themselves (Saakvitne & Pearlman, 1996) in order to effectively manage the demands of their profession and better ensure the provision of quality care. However, self-care is also a clinical competency of professional psychology that has historically been insufficiently addressed in training (Donovan & Ponce, 2009). According to the APA Board of Professional Affairs Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance, a better understanding of functioning in psychologists is necessary to properly promote self-care across the career-span (2005). There is a need for research in this area to establish evidence-based self-care practices. This study lends empirical support for an increased focus on psychologist self-care with specific attention to the relationships between Perceived Stress, Psychological Distress, and Coping Self-Efficacy across the career-span. Results largely support hypotheses that there are significant relationships between the variables. With regard to differences in sample means across the career-span, Late career psychologists’ scores were significantly higher than Early career psychologists’ for Self-Care frequency and Coping Self-Efficacy. Late career psychologists’ Perceived Stress levels were significantly lower. Further, there are differences in frequency and type of Self-Care practices between Early and Late career psychologists. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided. Keywords: psychologist, career-span, self-care, perceived stress, coping self-efficacy iv Acknowledgments The sincerest of thanks is extended to my committee, my family, and friends for all of their support, interest, and encouragement throughout my educational pursuits. You have each moved me along in this process and influenced me in your own unique way, more than you can know. v Dedications This manuscript is dedicated to the memory of my father, who inspired my research at its foundation. And to my mother, whose tireless efforts, hard work, and selflessness have served as the model for my own life’s work and balance. Without both of you, I could not have known these achievements. vi List of Tables Table 1: Top ten most frequently engaged self-care activities by career stage.......35 Table 2: Top ten least frequently engaged self-care activities by career stage……36 Table 3: Individual responses to personal evaluation of self-care……………..….38 Table 4: Descriptive statistics for dependent variables…………………………....43 Table 5: Descriptive statistics for dependent variables by career stage…………...45 Table 6: Pearson Correlations of Variables……………………………………….48 Table 7: Descriptive statistics for SCAW self-care sub-types…………………….50 vii