Covid-19 Practice in Primary Schools in Ireland Report: a Two-Month Follow-Up

This research report looks at leadership and wellbeing in Primary Schools two months after the COVID-19 school closures, in total 939 leaders completed the survey. It follows a previous report on practice in Primary Schools two weeks after school closures (Burke and Dempsey, 2020). It reports on the changes in communication, concerns and wellbeing from week two to month two after the COVID-19 school closure; the wellbeing of school leaders in the middle of the COVID-19 school closure; and, investigates the intricacies in wellbeing between teaching and administrative principals, given that their daily duties differ significantly. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, and qualitative data was analysed using MAXQDA. It found that principals are adapting to the impact of the pandemic, both professionally and personally, however there have been significant challenges noted. It was noted that social wellbeing is the biggest challenge for principals, however seven out of 10 principals have taken specific actions to address this challenge during the lockdown. Lack of time was an issue for those principals who have not taken positive action regarding their wellbeing, with some fulfilling multiple professional and personal roles. While there have been challenges associated with the adaptation and implementation of new online practices, and some schools lack technology, there has been a positive move to online learning

Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and work engagement in residential child care

Due to the challenging nature of the setting, residential childcare staff are at risk of developing compassion fatigue, including burnout and secondary traumatic stress. There is also opportunity to experience compassion satisfaction from supporting young people in need. These concepts are under-researched in residential childcare, as is work engagement; a sense of vigour, dedication and absorption at work which is beneficial for employees and organisations. This quantitative study investigated the relationship between compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and work engagement in staff working in independent residential childcare organisations in England, Scotland and Wales. The study used a within-participants design using correlational analyses, with a sample of 100 participants who completed a self-report questionnaire. Work engagement was positively correlated with compassion satisfaction and negatively correlated with the burnout aspect of compassion fatigue but not secondary traumatic stress. However, the absorption component of work engagement was positively associated with secondary traumatic stress, reflecting that burnout and secondary trauma are distinct aspects of compassion fatigue that relate differently with work engagement. It is recommended that residential childcare organisations be aware of, and implement support structures to prevent or minimise, both burnout and secondary traumatic stress in their employees

Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and work engagement in residential child care

Due to the challenging nature of the setting, residential childcare staff are at risk of developing compassion fatigue, including burnout and secondary traumatic stress. There is also opportunity to experience compassion satisfaction from supporting young people in need. These concepts are under-researched in residential childcare, as is work engagement; a sense of vigour, dedication and absorption at work which is beneficial for employees and organisations. This quantitative study investigated the relationship between compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and work engagement in staff working in independent residential childcare organisations in England, Scotland and Wales. The study used a within-participants design using correlational analyses, with a sample of 100 participants who completed a self-report questionnaire. Work engagement was positively correlated with compassion satisfaction and negatively correlated with the burnout aspect of compassion fatigue but not secondary traumatic stress. However, the absorption component of work engagement was positively associated with secondary traumatic stress, reflecting that burnout and secondary trauma are distinct aspects of compassion fatigue that relate differently with work engagement. It is recommended that residential childcare organisations be aware of, and implement support structures to prevent or minimise, both burnout and secondary traumatic stress in their employees

Conceptual framework for a positive psychology coaching practice

The complementary nature of positive psychology and coaching psychology has long been recognised by both researchers and practitioners. The last decade saw a tenfold increase of articles relating to positive psychology coaching and even more literature attempting to apply some of the findings from positive psychology in a coaching practice. However, despite the interest and the complexity of both fields, there is a lack of systematic approach to this new practice. The current paper introduces the Conceptual Framework for Positive Psychology Coaching Practice, the aim of which is to offer advice to both practitioners and researchers of the elements necessary to exist, in order to practise positive psychology coaching, as well as inform the policy and curriculum of programmes teaching positive psychology coaching in third level education

Conceptual framework for a positive psychology coaching practice

The complementary nature of positive psychology and coaching psychology has long been recognised by both researchers and practitioners. The last decade saw a tenfold increase of articles relating to positive psychology coaching and even more literature attempting to apply some of the findings from positive psychology in a coaching practice. However, despite the interest and the complexity of both fields, there is a lack of systematic approach to this new practice. The current paper introduces the Conceptual Framework for Positive Psychology Coaching Practice, the aim of which is to offer advice to both practitioners and researchers of the elements necessary to exist, in order to practise positive psychology coaching, as well as inform the policy and curriculum of programmes teaching positive psychology coaching in third level education

The languishing limbo: coaching for wellbeing

Not all clients who are supposedly free of mental illness are necessarily thriving. Dr Jolanta Burke demonstrates how coaches can work with those clients who are languishing, to promote and enhance their wellbeing and help them to flourish

Post Traumatic Growth: Examining an Increase of Optimism Amongst Targets of Bullying in Ireland

Traumatic events, such as bullying, may lead to both distress and enhanced levels of well-being. In order to test this theory, a study was carried out to measure optimism in 2,441 participants aged 12- 19 across 13 Irish schools, 312 of whom were bullied on a daily basis, whilst the additional 454 experienced perpetration “once a month” or “once a week”. The results showed that Targets of bullying scored lower on the level of overall optimism, in comparison to those who have not been bullied. However, further analysis found that young people who experienced bullying on a daily basis reported the highest levels of optimism in negative situations. This result suggests that experiencing bullying may have helped participants develop symptoms of Posttraumatic Growth. The implications of this finding, in relation to therapists, are discussed

The languishing limbo: coaching for wellbeing

Not all clients who are supposedly free of mental illness are necessarily thriving. Dr Jolanta Burke demonstrates how coaches can work with those clients who are languishing, to promote and enhance their wellbeing and help them to flourish

Post Traumatic Growth: Examining an Increase of Optimism Amongst Targets of Bullying in Ireland

Traumatic events, such as bullying, may lead to both distress and enhanced levels of well-being. In order to test this theory, a study was carried out to measure optimism in 2,441 participants aged 12- 19 across 13 Irish schools, 312 of whom were bullied on a daily basis, whilst the additional 454 experienced perpetration “once a month” or “once a week”. The results showed that Targets of bullying scored lower on the level of overall optimism, in comparison to those who have not been bullied. However, further analysis found that young people who experienced bullying on a daily basis reported the highest levels of optimism in negative situations. This result suggests that experiencing bullying may have helped participants develop symptoms of Posttraumatic Growth. The implications of this finding, in relation to therapists, are discussed

Exploring the Role of Purpose in the Lives of Career Changers: A Qualitative Inquiry

Although purpose in life is well-established as a key element of optimal human functioning, there is a lack of qualitative research exploring the role of purpose in individuals’ lives, particularly in the context of career change. The aim of the study is to gain a deep understanding of the role of purpose in the lives of career changers, including the process of developing purpose and its impact on individuals’ well-being. A qualitative method was employed that involved semi-structured interviews with a sample of thirteen participants who went through a career change process. The qualitative grounded theory analysis reveals a purpose process model, which posits that individuals experience purpose as an ongoing and dynamic process consisting of questioning, exploring, unfolding, and evolving as critical developmental stages of individuals’ journeys to discover and develop purpose. The process of pursuing a purposeful way of living generally has a positive impact on individuals’ hedonic and eudaemonic well-being but can also have its “dark side” that may detract from life. Practical implications for career counseling, as well as future direction of research are discussed