STRESS AND COPING IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

Levels and sources of stress, as well as coping strategies, were asses sed in 101 West Midlands clinical psychologists by means of a postal s urvey. As expected, GHQ caseness levels for qualified psychologists we re lower than for those in training, although qualified psychologists reported that they felt as stressed as trainees. As hypothesized, wome n and those with less experience reported higher stress levels. Junior men reported higher stress levels than more senior men; however, no s uch differences were found for women. Those psychologists who were 'ca ses' were also less likely to live with a partner. As expected, the mo st frequently reported coping strategies were behavioural, which mostl y involved talking to others, and avoidance coping was associated with a poorer mental health outcome. Factor analysis of a self-report stre ss survey identified seven factors; being responsible for supervising trainees accounted for the greatest variance in stress ratings. Psycho logists indicated that better support from colleagues and better NHS m anagement were the factors most likely to alleviate stress.