Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Differentiation of self is important to explore in counselors due to the emotional nature of their work. Differentiation of self has been shown to have an impact on counselors wellbeing including their rate of burnout. The intent of the current study was to examine the relationship between differentiation and burnout in counselors. A study by Duggan-Waters (2021) found a significant relationship between differentiation and burnout in marriage and family counselors. This study built on these results by examining the more specific relationships between the areas of differentiation (i.e., emotional reactivity, emotional cutoff, I-position, and fusion with others) and the aspects of counselor burnout (i.e., personal, work, and client). Bowens Family Systems Theory (Bowen, 1978) provided the rationale to examine relationships between counselors level of differentiation and burnout. Understanding how differentiation relates to burnout in counselors provides a context for counselor educators to incorporate wellness initiatives into counselor training programs. This study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between differentiation and burnout in counselors and to the understanding of the way the four domains of differentiation relate to the three areas of burnout. To answer four research questions, a study was conducted with 185 masters level counselors currently working in the field. Participants completed the Differentiation of Self Inventory– Revised (DSI-R) and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). The results showed a statistically significant inverse relationship between differentiation of self and burnout in counselors. This indicated that higher scores on the DSI-R were related to lower scores on the CBI, and lower scores on the DSI-R were related to higher scores on the CBI. Then, a multiple regression was conducted with participants scores on the DSI-R subscales, which include emotional reactivity, emotional cutoff, I-position, and fusion with others, and the personal burnout subscale on the CBI. The model was statistically significant. Emotional reactivity, but not emotional cutoff, I-position, or fusion with others, was statistically significantly related to personal burnout. A multiple regression was then conducted with participants scores on the DSI-R subscales and the work burnout subscale on the CBI. The model was statistically significant. Emotional reactivity and emotional cutoff, but not I-position or fusion with others, were statistically significantly related to work burnout. Finally, a multiple regression was conducted with participants scores on the DSI-R subscales and the client burnout subscale on the CBI. The model was statistically significant. I-position, but not emotional reactivity, emotional cutoff, or fusion with others, was statistically significantly related to client burnout. Results indicate that differentiation of self is an important consideration in regard to counselor burnout. Directions for future research are provided. Implications for practice are discussed.

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