Positive Emotions Coping on Stress and Burnout Prevention

Abstract

Chronic work stress and burnout, as identified by the World Health Organization (2020), are pervasive issues that have been likened to silent epidemics. A global survey conducted during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic revealed a startling increase in the prevalence of negative emotions associated with burnout in the workplace (Gallup, 2021). Despite the alarming global impact of stress and burnout, there remains a significant void in our understanding of the systemic causes of chronic stress and strategies to prevent emotional exhaustion, a precursor to burnout. This research gap is not just a mere academic concern, but a pressing issue that demands immediate attention.The core objective of this three-paper dissertation is to address these important gaps via building on exploratory research conducted in the context of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and evidence-based research to evaluate a pilot intervention designed to build psychological resources to cope with stress and promote work engagement. In Paper 1, we explore resources and strategies used in the context of the pandemic to cope with stress. In Paper 2, we provide an in-depth description of a groundbreaking therapeutic board game known as Animalia designed to offer mental health benefits. Specifically, this second paper lays out a conceptual foundation to guide, test, and refine a multicomponent game-style treatment for the prevention of stress and emotional exhaustion, the antecedent of burnout. Paper 3 is a pilot study focused on preliminary evidence of change in mediators and proximal outcomes as a result of playing the Animalia game. A pretest - posttest single group two observations pre-experimental design is used to test whether playing Animalia, an emotional expression game, improves well-being through the deconstruction and transformation of unpleasant and constraining emotions into pleasant and expanding emotions. The intervention presented as a transformational game aims to develop personal and social resources through the deliberate practice of awareness, connection, insight and purpose. Paper 1 focuses on the international doctoral student population, specifically global south students (age 21 and older). Research for Paper 3 was conducted with full-time international graduate students, a population that has been consistently affected by stress and burnout. Implications of this dissertation include providing evidence for the development of (1) a transformational theory of stress through positive coping, (2) practices and programs to prevent burnout and stress in a variety of settings and work environments, (3) public, institutional and organizational health and work environment policies, and (4) better social work and social services practices.