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Abstract
The article presents the results of an empirical study of emotional burnout among psychologists under conditions of contemporary social uncertainty. The relevance of the study is determined by the increasing professional workload of mental health specialists caused by war, social instability, the growing number of crisis-related requests, and the necessity to provide psychological assistance to individuals with traumatic experiences. The purpose of the study was to investigate the characteristics of emotional burnout among psychologists, identify the main risk factors, and determine the resources that facilitate its prevention and overcoming.
The study involved 130 practicing psychologists aged 21 to 60 years who worked in public institutions, private practice, and mixed professional settings. An author-designed questionnaire was used to assess the levels of emotional exhaustion, professional overload, anxiety, psychological resilience, and resources for professional recovery.
The findings revealed that a significant proportion of psychologists demonstrated moderate and high levels of emotional exhaustion, professional overload, and anxiety. The leading factors contributing to emotional burnout were identified as empathic overload, perfectionism, difficulties in establishing professional boundaries, chronic stress, and the impact of social uncertainty. At the same time, supervision, personal psychotherapy, professional support, physical activity, rest, and a strong sense of professional meaning were found to be important protective resources against burnout.
The correlation analysis confirmed statistically significant relationships between emotional exhaustion, professional overload, anxiety, and psychological resilience. Based on the obtained results, an authorial model for the prevention of emotional burnout among psychologists was proposed. The model includes the development of self-regulation skills, the establishment of professional boundaries, systematic resource recovery, and the enhancement of professional reflection.
The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying its findings to the development of psychological support programs, supervision practices, and burnout prevention interventions for helping professionals.
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