A Literature Study on the Approaches to Support the Prevention of Burnout in Human Services Professionals

Abstract

In this study, I reviewed past research conducted in Japan on support approaches for preventing burnout in human services professionals, with the aim of ascertaining research trends and examining future tasks and challenges. I was able to classify such burnout prevention support approaches into the following five types according to their qualitative content: (1) support in solving work-related problems, (2) promotion of understanding of the self, (3) enhancement of interpersonal support skills, (4) support through dialogue, and (5) promotion of self-care. Regarding the effects of intervention, moreover, a qualitative analysis found ‘catharsis through active listening,’ ‘solving of work-related problems,’ and ‘activation of objectivity’ to be effective in preventing burnout, while a quantitative analysis suggested support approaches to have a limited effect in preventing the typical burnout symptoms of ‘sense of emotional exhaustion’ and ‘depersonalization.’

Therefore, as future tasks and challenges, in addition to verification of effects of ‘catharsis through attentive listening,’ ‘solving of work-related problems,’ and ‘activation of objectivity,’ using quantitative analysis, as well as verification of effects against ‘emotional exhaustion’ and ‘depersonalization,’ I propose that clinical knowledge and findings that have been gained in previous burnout studies be incorporated into the current support approach.