Uupumisesta hyvinvointiin : työuupuneiden ryhmäpsykoterapeuttinen kuntoutusmalli BALANSSI

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to study the salutogenic effects of BALANSSI, a novel group psychotherapy rehabilitation modality, on employees suffering from severe burnout symptoms. The intervention was implemented on 16 separate days over a nine-month period with one follow-up day six months thereafter. 62 subjects were randomly assigned to eight intervention groups (four analytic and four psychodrama). An additional 32 subjects were selected as controls. The theoretical foundation was the self-determination theory, which postulates the importance of striking a balance between the three innate psychological needs of autonomy, relatedness and competence. Changes in sense of coherence and psychological wellbeing, as indicators of the effectiveness of the intervention, were measured pre-, mid-, and post- intervention and at 6 months thereafter. Sense of group coherence was used to evaluate the therapeutic process during the intervention and was measured at the end of each therapy day. The results showed a significant improvement in sense of coherence, with total effect sizes for the three study groups as follows: analytic 0.71, psychodrama 0.45 and control 0.09. No significant difference between two therapeutic modalities was observed. Psychological wellbeing improved similarly in all three study groups. Sense of group coherence correlated positively with improvement in the sense of individual coherence, the perceived benefits of being in the group and satisfaction with the therapists, and negatively with dissatisfaction with the therapists. The research demonstrated that a salutogenic group psychotherapeutic intervention of this kind can be a useful tool for improving sense of coherence and psychological well-being in employees suffering from serious burnout symptoms.