“Isn’t it mad that we’re all psychologists and we can't talk about our feelings?”: A mixed-methods study exploring trainee clinical psychologists’ experience of (non)disclosure of psychological distress during training
Publication Date
July 19, 2023
Creator
Abstract
Objective: Literature on trainee clinical psychologists’ mental health has highlighted elevated levels of mental health difficulties and/or psychological distress among trainees, and low levels of disclosure within the workplace. The current study aimed to explore 1) trainee experiences of disclosure and/or concealment of psychological distress during their training, 2) beliefs, assumptions or predictions related to disclosure and 3) responses to disclosure.
Methods: A mixed-methods strategy was employed; 165 trainee or recently qualified clinical psychologists took part in an online survey. Thirteen of these were interviewed. Descriptive statistics and a reflexive thematic analysis were conducted to analyse the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively.
Results: The sample largely consisted of those who had disclosed distress. Six main themes were constructed: 1) Diagnostic or psychological conceptualisations 2) Worries about judgement complicate disclosure decisions; 3) Disclosure likelihood is determined by relationships; 4) Emotional support versus practical responses; 5) Desired changes that could increase disclosure; and 6) Legacies of disclosure experiences.
Conclusion: There is a need for training programme staff to prioritise emotional support, increase permission giving, and enhance disclosure guidance. Further research, including those receiving disclosures, those who do not disclose and from underrepresented groups, is required.
Item Type
ethesis
Thesis Type
DClinPsy
Supervisors
Subjects (LC)
Associated Schools / Departments
School of Medicine
eprints ID
71685
UoN Repository URI
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Name
THESIS BRP 2122 20216155 18736262 Thesis Research Portfolio.pdf
Type
Full-text
Description
Examined. Final thesis portfolio
Size
2.16 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
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