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Burnout Syndrome and COVID-19 Lockdown: Research on Residential Care Workers Who Assume Parental Roles with Youths

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Ferro

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valle d’Aosta, 11100 Aosta, Italy)

  • Marina Cariello

    (TIARE’, Association for Mental Health, 10125 Turin, Italy)

  • Alessandra Colombesi

    (TIARE’, Association for Mental Health, 10125 Turin, Italy)

  • Alberto Segantini

    (TIARE’, Association for Mental Health, 10125 Turin, Italy)

  • Eleonora Centonze

    (TIARE’, Association for Mental Health, 10125 Turin, Italy)

  • Giorgia Baccini

    (TIARE’, Association for Mental Health, 10125 Turin, Italy)

  • Stefania Cristofanelli

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valle d’Aosta, 11100 Aosta, Italy)

Abstract

Healthcare professionals are at higher risk of developing and experiencing burnout. Parents may also suffer from prolonged stressful conditions that lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. Residential youth care workers assume a caregiving role that can lead to persistent stressful conditions that affect their relationship with the youth. In addition, the COVID-19 lockdown has had a negative impact on both the organization and the work, as well as on the lifestyle of workers and minors. In fact, during the pandemic, contact with families was not possible due to restrictions and this increased the need for caregivers to assume a parental role. This research aims to examine the risk of burnout in a sample of 75 healthcare professionals working with youths and the association with psychological traits. Then, we aim to evaluate these aspects during the COVID-19 lockdown The measurements, conducted in both February 2019 and April 2021, included six questionnaires: MBI to assess burnout, TAS_20 to explore alexithymic traits, COPE_NVI to assess coping strategies, FDS_R to quantify frustration intolerance at work, IRI for empathy, and FFMQ to investigate awareness and emotional regulation. Our sample shows a medium-high risk of developing burnout, which worsened during the pandemic. A worsening of emotional skills, paralleled by a greater empathic investment required by the emergency situation, and an assumed parental role is observable. Coping strategies correlate with burnout risk, as avoidance strategies were strongly associated with emotional exhaustion. These findings suggest an urgent need to develop targeted and timely interventions for healthcare professionals in order to prevent long-term consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Ferro & Marina Cariello & Alessandra Colombesi & Alberto Segantini & Eleonora Centonze & Giorgia Baccini & Stefania Cristofanelli, 2022. "Burnout Syndrome and COVID-19 Lockdown: Research on Residential Care Workers Who Assume Parental Roles with Youths," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:16320-:d:994634
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Moore, Tim & McArthur, Morag & Death, Jodi & Tilbury, Clare & Roche, Steven, 2018. "Sticking with us through it all: The importance of trustworthy relationships for children and young people in residential care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 68-75.
    2. Gabriele Giorgi & Luigi Isaia Lecca & Federico Alessio & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giorgia Bondanini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, October.
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