Relationship between the tendency to burnout and self-compassion among early career physical and occupational therapists

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the direct and indirect associations of self-compassion, social support in the workplace, and job stressors with the tendency to burnout among early career physical and occupational therapists. A total of 124 physical therapists and 63 occupational therapists, who were all within their first five years of employment, participated in a web-based survey. Covariance structure analysis was used to examine the associations between the variables controlled by type of occupation. The following findings were revealed: (a) self-compassion was negatively associated with the tendency to burnout, both directly and mediated by job stressors, (b) supervisory support showed a direct negative association with depersonalization and a negative association with the tendency to burnout mediated by job stressors, and (c) support from colleagues showed a negative association with diminished personal accomplishment. We discuss that the potential for self-compassion and social support in the workplace can work effectively in preventing burnout among early career physical and occupational therapists.