Psychologists' experiences of burnout in Aotearoa, New Zealand: a nationwide qualitative survey

This study sought to understand the experience of burnout in a sample of 141 registered psychologists in Aotearoa New Zealand. Participants were recruited through professional boards and associations. The majority were women, and worked in private practice or government-funded roles. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed three broad themes inclusive of social, personal life and structural factors. Psychologists described currently employing a range of self-care techniques to protect against burnout, and noted professional supervision and collegial bonds as protective factors. Systemic issues such as overwork, high demand and poor workplace experiences were negatively impacting their professional wellbeing, many of which compounded, such as higher demand leading to longer waitlists, and then to higher severity and even longer waitlists. Implications for both psychologists and employers are discussed.