Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: The field of mental health presents a wide range of occupational challenges including but not limited to ethical issues, cultural competency and effective caseload management.In addition, mental health professionals who provide psychotherapy face a variety of challenging cases which include complicated interpersonal problems and stories of trauma.Due to the demands of their work, mental health professionals are exposed to traumatic experiences that may have a negative impact on their emotional, physical, and cognitive functioning (Portnoy, 2011).The challenges which mental health professionals face highlight the importance of effective self-care practices to reduce occupational stress.There us a body of research suggesting that the various aspects of martial arts martial arts, including the meditative practices as well as the physical exercise, can reduce stress and increase self-efficacy among martial arts practitioners (Birdee, et al., 2009; Bourdreau & Koznak, 1984;Boullosa, et al., 2015;Hakan, Kassab & Lothes, 2013;Hashizume et al., 2008).To date, however, there is no specific research examining whether martial arts could serve as an effective self-care practice for mental health professionals.It is important to discuss both the benefits and disadvantages of practicing a martial art for self-care.This is a qualitative, phenomenological study designed to explore the lived experiences of mental health professionals who practice martial arts, in order to evaluate whether as an effective self-care practice for them.
Author: Gladstone, Jacob
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6980022418