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ERIC Number: EJ1447644
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2573-1378
Available Date: N/A
Life Balance, Stress, and Occupational Burnout in Occupational Therapy Assistant Students: An Exploratory Study
Olivia W. Hammond; Pamela Talero Cabrejo; Laura Cruz; Linda Lilly
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, v8 n4 Article 2 2024
Research indicates that United States healthcare workers face significant burnout. College is a crucial period for preparing occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students to manage life balance, stress, and burnout as they transition into the workforce. However, there is limited understanding of these factors within this population. This study examined the relationship between OTA students' life balance and their perceived stress and occupational burnout, considering variables such as employment status, residential status, years of study, and age. A cross-sectional Qualtrics e-survey was administered to OTA students aged 18 and older, comprising a demographic survey, Life Balance Inventory (LBI), Perceived Stress Scale-Short (PSS-4), Single-Item Measure of Burnout (SIMB), and open-ended questions regarding students' perceptions of factors affecting their life balance. Results from 200 OTA students revealed an occupational imbalance with an overall LBI score of 1.99 (on a scale of 1-3, with 1.5 - 2.0 considered unbalanced). There were also significant differences among the LBI subscales. The study found moderate, inverse relationships between students' life balance, perceived stress, and occupational burnout. No significant differences were observed across residential status, employment status, years of study, or age. Activities such as exercise and sleep were associated with positive life balance, while lack of sleep and insufficient relaxation time were perceived as detrimental. Findings suggest that addressing life balance and implementing strategies to mitigate stress and burnout are critical for their well-being and professional success. Further research is warranted to develop targeted support programs for OTA students.
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A