Restoring and Strengthening Resilience in the Psychology Profession: The Rio Model of Resilience for Psychologists

Abstract

This thesis focused on resilience and well-being in psychologists. To do this a model of resilience for psychologists was developed and examined. Resilience was defined as a process that enabled the ability to return to, maintain, or reach higher levels of well-being when facing work stress and trauma. A model incorporating individual, relational and contextual processes of resilience was constructed following a comprehensive review of the literature; the Relational, Individual, Outcome (RIO) model. An online survey was completed by 224 New Zealand psychologists that measured hypothesised elements of the model. Path analysis revealed general support for the proposed model. Where differences were observed the model was adjusted accordingly. The modified model indicated that increased resilience is directly linked to increased professional quality of life. The model also highlighted that increased resilience is indirectly linked to both increased professional quality of life and vicarious growth via reduced reported work stressors and maladaptive coping and increased work related emotions, self-care and broad minded coping. Exploration of stronger model pathways highlighted a number of avenues for intervention. Subsequently, focus groups were conducted to contextualise the path analysis results. Group members emphasised the importance of professional relationships with colleagues and supervisors as well as how their personal relationships enabled them to maintain balance. Participants described how they utilised acceptance coping strategies to help them continue to work in environments they described as abusive and hostile to psychologists. Participants highlighted that finding professional meaning was important for their ability to maintain resilience. Participants also provided support for the proposed concept of vicarious growth related to their work with clients. The research outcomes suggest interventions designed to restore and strengthen resilience in psychologists need to be targeted at both individual and broader systems levels. These interventions may also be applicable to other professional groups who do similar work.