Effectiveness of rational emotive occupational health coaching in reducing burnout symptoms among teachers of children with autism.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The negative impacts of Job-related burnout on job performance have been widely documented in the literature. Burnout accounts for both physical and mental health outcomes that increase work turnover in teachers, especially those who teach special needs children, like those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The current study assessed the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Occupational Health Coaching (REOHC) in minimizing job burnout amongst autistic children teachers in Anambra state, Nigeria. METHOD: The study used a group-randomized waitlist control trial design. teachers who teach ASD children in private and public special and inclusive schools participated in the study. All participants were randomly allocated to REOHC and waitlist group (WLG). REOHC group were exposed to a single session 120 min REOHC programme every week for 12 weeks. Data were collected using Maslach Burnout Inventory for Educators (MBI-ES), at baseline; post-intervention as well as follow-up evaluations 1 and 2 evaluations. All the data gathered for the study were analysed using mean, Standard Deviation (SD), t-test statistics, repeated measures ANOVA, and charts. RESULTS: Results indicated a significant decrease in teachers' burnout, following REOHC intervention, which was sustained through follow-ups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we stated that REOHC is valuable in treating burnout symptoms in teachers of children with ASDs.

Managing job stress among teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy with yoga.

BACKGROUND: Job-related stress undermines occupational, personal, and organizational outcomes. Stress symptoms are common among teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders and affect the academic progress of the children. This study investigated the effectiveness of yoga-based cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing occupational stress among teachers of children with autism in Lagos states, Nigeria. METHODS: The current study adopted a group-randomized waitlist control (WLC) trial design with pre-test, posttest, and follow-up assessments. Participants included 58 teachers of children with autism in public and private special schools in Lagos state. Participants were randomly assigned to combined cognitive behavioral therapy and yoga (Y-CBT) (N = 29) and WLC (N = 29) groups. The Y-CBT group participated in a 2 hours Y-CBT program weekly for 12 weeks. Three instruments - Demographic Questionnaire, Single-Item Stress Questionnaire, and Teachers' Stress Inventory (TSI) were used to collect data. Data were collected at baseline; posttest and follow-up evaluations. Data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, t test statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance, and bar charts. RESULTS: Results revealed that all dimensions of job stress (perception of stress sources, stress manifestation, and total TSI scores) reduced significantly at posttest and follow up assessments among the Y-CBT group, compared to the WLC. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that Y-CBT modalities could help to minimize the perception of stress sources and stress manifestation as well as total TSI scores among teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders.