DISTRESS AND PROFESSIONAL IMPAIRMENT AMONG PSYCHOLOGISTS IN CLINICAL-PRACTICE

Distress and professional impairment among psychologists in clinical p ractice can adversely affect the process of psychotherapy. In this stu dy, 522 practicing psychologists (52.2%) completed a mail survey on di stress and impairment. Various life events and work factors were assoc iated with different amounts of distress and impairment, with personal relationship problems and work with difficult clients being particula rly troublesome. Respondents who experienced a greater number of life events/work factors also reported greater distress and impairment. Ver y high positive correlations emerged between distress and impairment f or both life events and work factors. Non-work-related activities and periodic vacations were the most frequently reported preventive behavi ors.