Problems of psychological prevention and correction of emotional burnout in the system of the Ministry of Emergency Situations

Livak Nataliya Stepanovna ORCID: 0000-0003-4629-1600 PhD in Psychology Associate Professor; Department of Psychology, Pedagogy and Social Work; Siberian State University of Science and Technology named after Academician M.F. Reshetnev 660049, Russia, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Krasnoyarsk, Central district, 57a Markovsky St., block 67 nlivak@mail.ru

Eremeeva Svetlana Vital'evna PhD in Economics Department of Psychology, Pedagogy and Social Work, FSBI VO 'SibGU named after M.F. Reshetnev', psychologist; FSBI SF TSEPP of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia 82 Mira Avenue, Krasnoyarsk, 660037, Russia, Krasnoyarsk Territory ixx@list.ru

Introduction. Over the past decades, the problem of emotional burnout has gone beyond narrow professional groups such as medical professionals, teachers or social workers, and has become relevant for representatives of a wide variety of professions, including IT specialists, managers, entrepreneurs and even students. Modern society is facing an increasing level of stress caused by globalization, digitalization and the constant need to adapt to changes. Such conditions contribute to the emergence and development of emotional burnout, which manifests itself in the form of chronic fatigue, decreased motivation, emotional exhaustion and loss of meaning in professional activities. The consequences of this phenomenon are not limited to the individual level: they affect organizations, reducing labor productivity, increasing staff turnover, and worsening the psychological climate in teams. At the societal level, emotional burnout contributes to an increase in the number of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders, which in turn increases the burden on healthcare and social support systems ^[1]. The study of emotional burnout is also relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated many mental health problems. Isolation, uncertainty, increased workload and blurring of boundaries between work and personal life have led to a sharp increase in cases of burnout among the population.

The purpose of the study: modernization of the program of psychological prevention and psychological correction of emotional burnout of employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.

Subject of the study: emotional burnout of emergency workers.

The degree of development of the topic. The theoretical basis of the research is the works of domestic and foreign scientists in the field of psychology devoted to the problems of emotional burnout (G. Freudenberger, V. Schmidbauer, K. Maslach, V.V. Boyko, A.A. Rukavishnikov, N.E. Vodopyanova, E.V. Starshenbaum, Yu.A. Ayupova, etc.). The problems of the influence of occupational stress on functional The works of such authors as L.A. Kitaev-Smyk, O.V. Lukyanova, L.E. Semenova, Yu.S. Shoigu, G.Y. Alikbaeva, V.V. Antimonik, E.E. Batueva, N.Y. Pakulova, E.V. Shapovalenko, S.I. Dubinina are devoted to the condition of EMERCOM employees, as well as the problems of emotional burnout of EMERCOM employees., S.S. Aleksanina, M.V. Sannikova, V.Y. Rybnikova, Yu. V. Gudz and others.

Emotional burnout, as a psychological phenomenon, attracted the attention of researchers in the second half of the 20th century, although its manifestations were observed long before the introduction of the official term. For example, back in 1953, in the American journal Psychiatry, M. S. Schwartz and J. T. Will published an article "Low morale and mutual withdrawal on a mental hospital ward" ("Low morale and mutual withdrawal in a hospital ward"), where, using the example of a psychiatric hospital nurse, they first presented a clinical picture of professional burnout ^[2]. The Russian psychologist B. G. Ananyev in 1968, in his work "Man as an object of knowledge", called "emotional burning" a condition that occurs in people of communicative professions and is associated with interpersonal relationships ^[3].

In 1969, the American psychologist H.B. Bradley used the term "staff burnout" in a scientific article for the first time to describe overwork among officers undergoing probation, implementing a program of influence on young offenders ^[4].

G. Freudenberger used the metaphor of "burnout" to describe the state of emotional exhaustion that he observed in workers in helping professions, comparing this state to an extinguished fire that can no longer burn due to lack of resources ^[5]. Later, K. Maslach expanded her understanding of the phenomenon, defining it as a syndrome that includes three main components: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization (cynical attitude towards work and others) and decreased professional effectiveness ^[6].

In world practice, emotional burnout has been studied in medical professionals, educators, rescuers, firefighters, and other professions associated with high levels of stress. For example:

To. Maslach and S. Jackson developed the MBI questionnaire (Maslach Burnout Inventory), which has become a standard tool for diagnosing burnout ^[7].

V. Schaufeli and A. Bakker studied burnout among European rescuers, noting a high level of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization in this group ^[8].

M. Leiter and K. Maslach investigated organizational factors contributing to burnout, such as overload, lack of support, and unfair resource allocation ^[9].

From the point of view of the stress concept, professional burnout is distress, or the third stage of the general adaptation syndrome is the stage of exhaustion ^[10]. In 1994, burnout syndrome was recognized as a problem requiring medical intervention and included in the "Lexicons of Psychiatry of the World Health Organization."

In Russian psychology, the problem of emotional burnout began to be actively studied in the 1990s, while Russian researchers such as V.V. Boyko, A.A. Rukavishnikov and others adapted foreign approaches to the specifics of Russian conditions, emphasizing the role of personal and organizational factors in the development of this condition.

Osukhova N.G. and Kachalova M.A. investigated the psychological characteristics of the EMERCOM staff, noting the high level of emotional stress and the need for psychological support ^[11]. Malkina-Pykh I.G. in her works on extreme psychology considered emotional burnout as a consequence of prolonged exposure to stressful factors characteristic of working in emergency situations ^[12]. Representatives of the St. Petersburg Psychological School, in particular, Slabinsky V.Y., argues that: "... the term "burnout" can be translated from English as "burnout"; at the same time, "burn" means "burning out", but these terms are not synonymous. "Burnt out" is one that retains its outer shell, shape, but has lost its content, essence, that is, it has been internally transformed. "Burnt out" means turned to ashes, disappeared." Next, they are invited to use the term "personality deformation syndrome", which combines "burnout" and "burnout" ^[13]. Rukavishnikov A.A. bases his definition of burnout on the fact that it is a psychological phenomenon characteristic of people who do not suffer from psychopathology, and which manifests itself in dysfunctional attitudes and behavior, decreased professional motivation ^[14].

In this paper, emotional burnout is understood as a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion due to excessive and prolonged stress. The emphasis is on the psychoemotional exhaustion of the personality. It is important to understand that emotional burnout can occur not only in the professional sphere, but also in personal life ^[15].

Research methodology and methods: Analysis of scientific literature: systematization of existing theoretical models of emotional burnout; analysis of research on the specifics of the work of emergency workers and their psychological well-being.

Empirical methods: monitoring the behavior of employees in working conditions, during diagnostic measures to identify signs of burnout (for example, decreased motivation, emotional detachment, aggression).

Practical methods: modernization and testing of programs changing burnout prevention and correction programs adapted for emergency workers.

The existential-analytical approach to the study of the phenomenon of emotional burnout reveals its deep connection with the existential vacuum, conceptualized by V. Frankl as a state of loss of meaningful orientations. An empirical study conducted among Austrian medical professionals (n=271) demonstrated a statistically significant correlation (p<0.01) between the level of existential fulfillment and resistance to professional burnout syndrome, regardless of the quantitative indicators of workload.

This study examines the research of Dubinina S.I., aimed at identifying the relationship between existential fulfillment and emotional burnout among representatives of the legal profession ^[16]. The results of this study showed that the hypothesis of the relationship between the phenomena of emotional burnout and existential fulfillment in a sample of legal professionals was confirmed. Due to a good level of meaningfulness, employees are able to actualize themselves in their work using internal motivation and drive. The above conclusions are confirmed by A. Langle's opinion that existential fulfillment is associated with a lack of genuine meaning in the activity performed, which leads to burnout.

Research: The Ministry of Emergency Situations pays close attention to the issues of mental and psychological health of employees. On September 17, 1999, the Emergency Psychological Assistance Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia (CEPP) was officially established by Order of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia No. 502. In the main departments of the federal districts, the official rates of psychologists have been allocated, which ensure work with personnel. The psychological service of the CEPP provides work with personnel in remote units, as well as in those units where there are no full-time psychologists in the field. It should be noted that some departments have created rooms for psychoemotional relief, equipped with the necessary equipment ^[17]. The staff of the psychological service is engaged in psychological support of the activities of the staff of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, which includes the activities shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. The main measures for psychological support of the activities of the Ministry of Emergency Situations specialists

As can be seen from the figure, the basis for preventive and/or psychocorrective measures is a monitoring psychodiagnostic examination and a psychodiagnostic examination in the post-exposure period. The basis for correction may be an individual request from an employee.

Psychological prevention, as a type of psychological assistance, is implemented through a set of measures aimed at creating conditions conducive to the preservation and strengthening of mental health, psychological well-being and rehabilitation of persons receiving psychological assistance, carried out by a psychologist ^[18].

Psychological prevention is implemented in the following forms::

1. Group psychological prevention.

2. Short-term (one-day) operational recovery programs (CPC).

1. Group psychological prevention

A set of measures implemented in the form of psychoprophylactic classes, including theoretical and practical methods of psychology (exercises, techniques, tasks) and aimed at developing skills of mental self-regulation and prevention of psychological conditions that may arise as a result of mental overloads, emotional stress and traumatic situations.

It should be noted that psychological prevention activities in the form of interactive group psychoprophylactic classes are conducted with all personnel of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, regardless of the final group set based on the results of a monitoring psychodiagnostic examination or a psychodiagnostic examination in the post-expedition period ^[19].

Group psychological prevention is conducted in the form of a series of interactive classes on the following topics:

Topic 1. Prevention of negative cognitive changes related to professional activity.

Topic 2. Prevention of negative emotional states related to professional activity.

Topic 3. Prevention of the negative impact of professional factors on the physical condition of specialists.

Topic 4. Prevention of negative socio-psychological manifestations related to professional activity.

2. Short-term (one-day) operational recovery Program (CPC)

A set of measures aimed at improving the functional state in case of information overload, states of functional stress, fatigue and monotony.

The grounds for conducting a CPC are not only the results of a monitoring psychodiagnostic examination or a psychodiagnostic examination in the post-expedition period, but also an individual request from specialists of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.

The CPC is carried out using special psychophysiological equipment, which is part of the psychoemotional relief room (hereinafter referred to as KPER), according to the algorithms of the procedure, with mandatory consideration of the presence or absence of contraindications to the use of the equipment.

Conducting COP in remote units is carried out using special psychophysiological equipment (portable), which is part of the KPER and (or) using a mobile kit for psychological prevention (massage cape, vibration platform (vibration massager), breathing simulator), if available. The program is selected based on the current functional status, as well as the presence or absence of contraindications to the use of equipment.

These disadvantages provoke an increase in the psychoemotional load among the professional contingent, causing: increased irritability, the formation of a stable negative attitude, and a violation of productive interaction with a specialist psychologist. The consequence of these factors is a significant decrease in the effectiveness of preventive measures, which minimizes their practical benefits, reduces the percentage of employee engagement, and eliminates the potential recovery effect. Ultimately, this leads to the formalization of the process and the loss of the original meaning of the programs.

Given the organizational and financial constraints, small but realistic measures are proposed that do not require additional funding or a change in the mandatory nature of the CPC, but can increase employee engagement and program quality.

Results. Based on the results of the analysis of algorithms and tools of psychological prevention in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the following conclusions can be drawn about the advantages and disadvantages of the prevention program (Table 1).

Psychological correction.

Psychological correction is a type of psychological assistance implemented through a set of measures aimed at influencing psychological characteristics, processes and states in order to eliminate (correct) and (or) weaken disorders in the activity, behavior, and communication of a person (group of people). Psychological correction is implemented in the following forms::

1. Comprehensive correction program.

2. Comprehensive correction program in remote units.

3. Individual psychological correction.

The main advantages

Table 1. Results of the analysis of prevention programs

1. Comprehensive Correction Program (CPC)

A set of measures aimed at eliminating (correcting) and (or) weakening disorders resulting in decreased memory, attention and other cognitive processes, as well as psychophysiological correction and optimization of functional state, psychosomatic manifestations and conditions associated with the work of the autonomic nervous system, the presence of anxiety and depressive manifestations, symptoms of emotional burnout.

The basis for the CPC is the analysis of the results obtained from specialists of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, classified in group III according to the results of a monitoring psychodiagnostic examination or a psychodiagnostic examination in the post-expedition period. The choice of CPC is carried out in accordance with the leading (dominant) symptom complex of the identified negative manifestations.

A symptom complex is a set of interrelated symptoms and manifestations that occur over a certain period of time and characterize the current physical and psychological state of specialists of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.

The leading (dominant) symptom complex can be defined as the predominance of a group of certain manifestations that have a negative impact on the functional state and efficiency of specialists of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.

The CPC is implemented both with the use of special psychophysiological equipment, which is part of the KPER, and in remote units, with the help of special psychophysiological equipment (portable), which is part of the KPER.

In those units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia where there is a KPER with a set of inpatient psychophysiological equipment, the CPC course ranges from 10 to 14 visits (sessions), conducted with an interval of no more than 3 days (the frequency of CPC is 2-3 times a week), and necessarily includes training on biofeedback equipment.

A CPC course lasting 10 visits (sessions) may be sufficient when conducting trainings on biofeedback equipment aimed at normalizing vegetative balance, reducing anxiety and psycho-emotional tension by reducing heart rate (heart rate training) and reducing psycho-emotional tension by reducing the frequency of respiratory movements (training according to the frequency of respiratory movements). In all other cases, the recommended course of CPC is at least 14 visits (sessions).

In remote units and in those units where there is no CPC, the CPC course consists of 4-5 visits (sessions) conducted daily. In the CPC algorithm for such departments, training on biofeedback equipment has been replaced by the development of self-regulation methods. At the same time, the selection of self-regulation methods is carried out taking into account the leading (dominant) symptom complex. To correct the conditions associated with the manifestation of symptoms of emotional burnout, algorithms are provided for the implementation of the Phoenix and Phoenix+ CPC programs (for working in a remote unit). According to the algorithms, psychocorrective work is carried out in three stages.

At the first stage of the Phoenix program, an individual consultation is conducted to clarify the grounds for group III, and a psychologist gives feedback describing the symptoms. Next, the current state is assessed using a psychophysiological testing device (ECM and SPMR) and a subjective assessment of the emotional state, physical condition and mental activity.

At the second psychocorrective stage, activities are carried out using the following psychophysiological equipment in the rooms of psychoemotional relief:

- biofeedback equipment "Reactor" / "BOSLAB"/ "BrainBit/Hummingbird";

- Sensorium/ NAVIGATOR/ NOVO PRO-100 audio-visual color stimulation device.

At the third and final stage, an assessment of the current state is carried out using a psychophysiological testing device (ECM and SPMR) and a subjective assessment of the emotional state, physical condition and mental activity.

In remote units, the algorithm of psychocorrective measures "Phoenix +" is as follows:

At the first stage, similar events are being held with the Phoenix program.

At the second stage, the following is performed:

- mastering self-regulation methods, including the "Breath control" block (2 exercises), the "Visualization" block (1 exercise), the "Meditation" block (1 exercise);

- conducting events using the NOVO PRO-100 / Navigator psychophysiological equipment. In the absence of audio-visual color stimulation devices, Mellon-22 glasses and Alpharia glasses are used for visual color pulse stimulation.

At the third and final stage, the:

- assessment of the current state using a psychophysiological testing device (ECM and SPMR) and a subjective assessment of the emotional state, physical condition and mental activity;

- development of a program for self-execution;

- feedback at the end of the program.

After analyzing the Phoenix and Phoenix+ programs for the correction of conditions associated with the symptoms of emotional burnout, the following conclusions can be drawn about the advantages and disadvantages (Table 2). In general, the program includes effective techniques of breathing, visualization, muscle relaxation and awareness of emotions. However, there are several aspects that can be improved to improve efficiency.

Table 2. The results of the analysis of the programs of psychological correction "Phoenix" and "Phoenix +"

Conclusions. Based on the results of the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of existing programs of psychological prevention and psychological correction, it is possible to propose recommendations for the modernization of individual elements of programs to improve the effectiveness of work with the manifestations of emotional burnout of employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.

Recommendations for psychological prevention:

1. It is proposed to create a ready-made scenario for the prevention of emotional burnout, which helps to update the content, eliminate duplication of topics with psychological training, increase interest, engagement and, as a result, the effectiveness of the program. It is proposed to include exercises on dealing with anger and various forms of aggression in this scenario, since empirical research has shown a positive correlation between emotional burnout and various forms of aggression.

2. Integrate existential methods:

- trainings on understanding the values and mission of the profession;

- techniques of existential therapy to enhance personal stability ^[20].

3. Offer employees an independent choice to undergo COP or meditation and trance practices for rapid recovery.

Recommendations for psychological correction:

1. To conduct individual consultations with the identification of personalized factors that influenced the formation and development of emotional burnout of an employee.

2. Add methods of cognitive behavioral therapy, training in cognitive re-evaluation of thoughts to the second stage of the program, while mastering self-regulation skills.

3. Develop a voice accompaniment for exercises from the Visualization block.

4. Develop exercises from the Meditation block to correct emotional burnout.

5. Make an audio recording of meditations for possible combination with the operation of visual color pulse stimulation devices.

Conclusion. Thus, the problem of emotional burnout among emergency workers requires a comprehensive and multi-level approach combining diagnosis, prevention and psychocorrection. The introduction of new psychological tools, the updating and personalization of programs, and the integration of mindfulness, visualization, and meditation techniques can significantly improve the effectiveness of burnout management. From the point of view of the authors, programs for the prevention and correction of emotional burnout in the Russian Emergencies Ministry system should be not only "technical", but also semantic, helping employees to maintain internal motivation in extreme conditions. The key task is to create a stable psychological support system that can not only respond to burnout, but also prevent its occurrence, preserving the health, motivation and professional stability of employees, on whom the safety of society depends.