STRESS AND COPING IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

Levels and sources of stress, as well as coping strategies, were assessed in 101 West Midlands clinical psychologists by means of a postal survey. As expected, GHQ caseness levels for qualified psychologists were lower than for those in training, although qualified psychologists reported that they felt as stressed as trainees. As hypothesized, women and those with less experience reported higher stress levels. Junior men reported higher stress levels than more senior men; however, no such differences were found for women. Those psychologists who were 'cases' were also less likely to live with a partner. As expected, the most frequently reported coping strategies were behavioural, which mostly involved talking to others, and avoidance coping was associated with a poorer mental health outcome. Factor analysis of a self-report stress survey identified seven factors; being responsible for supervising trainees accounted for the greatest variance in stress ratings. Psychologists indicated that better support from colleagues and better NHS management were the factors most likely to alleviate stress.