Intensive OutPatient Therapy for Clergy Burnout: How Much Difference Can a Week Make?

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Pastoral Care
• Mental Health Interventions

Background:

• Clergy often experience high levels of depression and burnout.
• Existing interventions may not adequately address the unique stressors faced by clergy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a week-long multi-therapist intensive outpatient intervention for clergy with depression and burnout.
• To evaluate the intervention's impact on emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.

Main Methods:

• A pre-test, post-test quasi-experimental matched pairs design was employed.
• The study included an experimental group (n=23) in the "Clergy in Kairos" program and a matched control group (n=23).
• Participants were clergy from various denominations reporting equivalent baseline levels of depression and burnout.

Main Results:

• The experimental group showed significant improvements in depression, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization scores at 6-month follow-up.
• The control group exhibited no significant changes in depression or burnout scores.
• The intervention demonstrated a positive impact on clergy mental well-being.

Conclusions:

• A week-long intensive outpatient intervention is effective in reducing burnout and depression among clergy.
• This therapeutic approach offers a valuable model for supporting clergy mental health.
• Further research should explore long-term effects and broader applicability.