Stress and burnout in psychology doctoral students

Abstract

Psychology Doctoral Students (PDS) have to deal with highly emotional situations with their clients and academic demands that can cause stress. However, there is limited research examining stress and burnout in PDS. This study aimed to examine levels of stress in PDS students compared to the general population and to analyze levels of stress and burnout per year in the program. An online survey was distributed among both PDS currently enrolled in APA-accredited clinical and counseling psychology doctoral programs and individuals in the general population. A total of 204 (67.3%) participants were PDS and 99 (32.7%) were from the general population. There were no significant differences in levels of stress between the PDS and participants from the general population. Third- and fourth-year students (grouped together) reported a significantly higher level of stress than PDS in other years (p=.00). Similarly, third- and fourth-year students (grouped together) reported significantly higher scores in the burnout emotional exhaustion subscale, than the rest of the students (p=.04). Stress levels in PDS were similar to those in the general population. Within PDS those in their third and fourth year of their programs presented higher levels of stress and more emotional exhaustion. Implications will be discussed.

Keywords: Burnout; clinical; doctoral; graduate students; psychology; stress.