Exploring the perceptions of mental health professionals on the effects of burnout on creative self-efficacy : a case study

Abstract

Over and above the challenges faced by other health professionals, mental health professionals have to deal with specific work stressors exclusive to the psychiatric field, exposing them to a higher risk of burnout. Meanwhile, a growing body of research has been focusing on how creativity and its subfields may feature in healthcare to address particular work challenges. The link between perceived burnout and perceived creative self-efficacy and any factors which may be perceived to influence it, will be explored from the perspective of mental health professionals, specifically in the context of a mental health setting. Through snowball and purposive sampling, 12 mental health professionals working within a Maltese governmental mental health entity were recruited to participate in a qualitative case study research design. The respondents were subsequently interviewed. Data from semi-structured interviews was analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Findings revealed that perceived burnout may negatively influence perceived creative self-efficacy through perception, self-beliefs, motivation, a negative frame of mind and openness to experience. Both organisational factors incorporating the work environment and managerial and team factors; and individual factors were perceived to play a role in the link between the two constructs being studied. These findings are further elaborated through a conceptual model presented in this study, which adds to the understanding of the challenges within the local mental health services and denotes practical solutions. Clinical implications for clinicians, supervisors and top management and recommendations for future research are discussed.