A1 Journal article (refereed)
Does mindfulness-, acceptance-, and value-based intervention alleviate burnout? : A person-centered approach (2019)

Kinnunen, S., Puolakanaho, A., Tolvanen, A., Mäkikangas, A., & Lappalainen, R. (2019). Does mindfulness-, acceptance-, and value-based intervention alleviate burnout? : A person-centered approach. International Journal of Stress Management, 26(1), 89-101. https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000095

JYU authors or editors

Markkula, Sanna
Tolvanen, Asko
Lappalainen, Raimo
Puolakanaho, Anne

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kinnunen, Sanna; Puolakanaho, Anne; Tolvanen, Asko; Mäkikangas, Anne; Lappalainen, Raimo

Journal or series: International Journal of Stress Management

ISSN: 1072-5245

eISSN: 1573-3424

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 26

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 89-101

Publisher: American Psychological Association

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000095

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67144

Abstract

This study investigated individual differences in changes in burnout symptoms during a brief mindfulness-, acceptance-, and value-based intervention. It also studied whether the changes in burnout were simultaneous with the changes in mindfulness skills. The role of practices and learning experiences in these changes were investigated. The participants were employees of various occupations (n = 105, 80% women, Mage = 48 years). Latent profile analysis was used to investigate the associations between burnout and mindfulness skills during the intervention and a 4-month follow-up period. Six distinct profiles were found that differed in levels and changes of both burnout and mindfulness skills. Burnout was reduced and mindfulness skills increased with large effect sizes in three of the profiles (47.4% of the participants). Two profiles (31.1%) presented smaller changes in burnout but had significant increases in mindfulness skills. One profile (11.5%) did not benefit from the intervention. The obtained profiles were compared on practice quantity and frequency, practice continuation, and learning experiences. There were no differences between the profiles in the practice quantity or frequency during the intervention. However, the profiles with the most beneficial changes showed higher learning during the intervention and continued to practice more often after the intervention. These findings show that there are considerable differences in the responses to a brief mindfulness-, acceptance-, and value-based intervention. The investigated intervention turned out to be effective in alleviating burnout symptoms, even when the initial burnout was high. Attention should be devoted to enhancing learning and practice continuation to improve intervention outcomes.

Keywords: exhaustion; intervention (treatment methods); mindfulness; acceptance and commitment therapy; practice

Free keywords: burnout; interventio

Fields of science: