The relationship between trust in work colleagues, impact of boundary violations and burnout among staff within a forensic psychiatric service
| Pages | 64-75 |
| Date | 08 February 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-03-2015-0024 |
| Published date | 08 February 2016 |
| Author | Helen Johnson,Rachel Worthington,Neil Gredecki,Fiona Rachel Wilks-Riley |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice |
The relationship between trust in work
colleagues, impact of boundary violations
and burnout among staff within a forensic
psychiatric service
Helen Johnson, Rachel Worthington, Neil Gredecki and Fiona Rachel Wilks-Riley
Helen Johnson is Forensic
Psychologist in Training at the
Department of Psychology,
Alpha Hospitals Bury,
Bury, UK.
Dr Rachel Worthington is
Forensic Psychologist at the
Department of Psychology,
University of Central
Lancashire, Preston, UK.
Neil Gredecki is Forensic
Psychologist at Private
Practice, UK and Manchester
Metropolitan University,
Manchester, UK.
Dr Fiona Rachel Wilks-Riley is
Consultant and Forensic
Psychologist at the Department
of Psychology, Cardiff
Metropolitan University,
Cardiff, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between trust and burnout among mental
health professionals working within a forensic psychiatric setting. The association between these factors and
boundary violations was also examined.
Design/methodology/approach –Mental health professionals (n ¼117) completed the Maslach Burnout
Inventory and a measure of their trust in co-workers. A series of 12 vignettes was also designed to assess the
frequency and impact of boundary violations by clients.
Findings –Propensity to trust was found to be predictive of personal accomplishment. A higher propensity
to trust others was associated with lower levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. It was also
associated with greater cooperative behaviour. Higher frequency of boundary violations reported by
professionals was associated with lower levels of perceived trust and cooperative behaviours among
colleagues, and increased depersonalisation. In addition, professionals reporting more of a perceived impact
of boundary violations, reported higher emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. The results also indicate
that younger professionals reported higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, whereas
older professionals were more positive regarding their competence and sense of accomplishment.
Research limitations/implications –The results are discussed in terms of the development of trust within
teams as an effective strategy to reduce the development of burnout. Implications are made for the
importance of reflective practice and clinical supervision in developing positive working relationships with
clients, and providing a safe environment to discuss professional conflict. The importance of supporting
younger professionals has also been highlighted.
Originality/value –This is the first research paper to explore the relationship betweentrust within teams and
the development of burnout within forensic psychiatric services.
Keywords Burnout, Emotional exhaustion, Perceived trust, Propensity to trust, Boundary violations,
Cooperative behaviours, Depersonalisation, Monitoring behaviours, Personal accomplishment
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Professionals working within forensic psychiatric settings are often considered to be at an
increased risk of experiencing burnout (Dickinson and Wright, 2008). The negative implications of
burnout among this staff population are well documented and according to Morse et al. (2012)
impact on staff members themselves, the organisation and service users. Some of the
consequences of burnout can include deterioration in the quality of care or service that
Received 21 March 2015
Revised 22 June 2015
26 June 2015
Accepted 27 June 2015
PAG E 64
j
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
j
VOL. 18 NO. 1 2016, pp. 64-75, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794 DOI 10.1108/JFP-03-2015-0024
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