The Effectiveness of Resilience Training on Burnout, Coping Strategies, and Quality of Life Among Healthcare Workers
Keywords:
Resilience Training, Burnout, Coping Strategies, Quality of Life, Healthcare WorkersAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of resilience training on burnout, coping strategies, and quality of life among healthcare workers in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up with a control group. The statistical population included healthcare workers employed in hospitals and healthcare centers in Tehran, Iran. A total of 60 healthcare workers were selected through purposive sampling based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group, with 30 participants in each group. The experimental group received resilience training in eight weekly 90-minute sessions, while the control group received no psychological intervention during the same period. Data were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, the Brief COPE Inventory, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, assumption tests, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and Bonferroni post hoc comparisons.
Findings: The inferential results showed significant time-by-group interaction effects for burnout, adaptive coping strategies, maladaptive coping strategies, and quality of life. Resilience training significantly reduced burnout in the experimental group compared with the control group (F = 73.65, p < 0.001, η² = 0.559). The intervention also significantly increased adaptive coping strategies (F = 64.09, p < 0.001, η² = 0.525) and significantly reduced maladaptive coping strategies (F = 38.97, p < 0.001, η² = 0.402). In addition, resilience training significantly improved quality of life among healthcare workers in the experimental group compared with the control group (F = 61.31, p < 0.001, η² = 0.514). Bonferroni post hoc comparisons confirmed significant improvements from pre-test to post-test and from pre-test to follow-up, while post-test to follow-up differences were not significant.
Conclusion: The findings indicated that resilience training is an effective psychological intervention for reducing burnout, improving coping strategies, and enhancing quality of life among healthcare workers. Therefore, resilience training can be integrated into occupational health and staff well-being programs in healthcare settings.
Downloads
References
Al‐Ghunaim, T., Johnson, J., Biyani, C. S., Coleman, R., Simms‐Ellis, R., & O’Connor, D. B. (2023). Evaluation of the Reboot Coaching Workshops Among Urology Trainees: A Mixed Method Approach. Bjui Compass, 4(5), 533-542. https://doi.org/10.1002/bco2.249
Alzain, N. M., Almsned, F., Albunaian, N., Alotaibi, F., AlBeshir, M. S., Yosef, M., & Ali, M. I. (2024). Burnout Prevalence Among Postgraduate Medical Trainees in the Eastern Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4997589/v1
Baxter, V., Myuran, T., Eboh, W., Majdzadeh, R., & Green, F. (2025). Evaluating the Well-Being of ENT Trainees in the UK: Survey Findings. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 140(1), 71-77. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022215125103848
Bhadoria, A. S., Pandey, P., Anirvan, P., & Kumar, R. (2025). Protecting the Health of Healers: Knowledge-to-Practice Gap Among Healthcare Professionals. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 14(11), 4409-4411. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2024_25
Catapano, P., Cipolla, S., Sampogna, G., Perris, F., Luciano, M., Catapano, F., & Fiorillo, A. (2023). Organizational and Individual Interventions for Managing Work-Related Stress in Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review. Medicina, 59(10), 1866. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59101866
Chandawarkar, A., & Chaparro, J. D. (2021). Burnout in Clinicians. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 51(11), 101104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2021.101104
Chhabra, S., Malhotra, N., Choubey, S., Sasidharan, S., & Sahni, N. (2022). Breaking Barriers to Remain Healthy and Fit During a Residency in Anaesthesiology. Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, 66(01), 77-81. https://doi.org/10.4103/ija.ija_1110_21
Dent, R. B., Strasser, J., Muñoz, L. R., Ziemann, M., DeSmidt, B., Pittman, P., & Chen, C. (2024). Lessons Learned From the Health Resources and Services Administration Health Workforce Well-Being Grantees. Families Systems & Health, 42(3), 317-332. https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000911
Duarte, D., El-Hagrassy, M. M., Couto, T. C. e., Gurgel, W. d. S., Minuzzi, L., Saperson, K., & Corrêa, H. (2023). Challenges and Potential Solutions for Physician Suicide Risk Factors in the COVID-19 Era: Psychiatric Comorbidities, Judicialization of Medicine, and Burnout. Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. https://doi.org/10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0293
Duică, L., Antonescu, E., Totan, M., Antonescu, O. R., Boța, G., Maniu, I., Pîrlog, M. C., & Silişteanu, S. C. (2024). Perceived Stress, Resilience and Emotional Intelligence in Romanian Healthcare Professionals. Healthcare, 12(23), 2336. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232336
Golisch, K. B., Sanders, J. M., Rzhetsky, A., & Tatebe, L. C. (2023). Addressing Surgeon Burnout Through a Multi-Level Approach: A National Call to Action. Current Trauma Reports, 9(2), 28-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-022-00249-x
Golparvar, M., & Parsakia, K. (2023). Building Resilience: Psychological Approaches to Prevent Burnout in Health Professionals. KMAN Counseling and Psychology Nexus, 1(1), 159-166. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.psychnexus.1.1.18
Hanson, P., Villarreal, M., Khan, M., Dale, J., & Sankar, S. (2022). Effect of an Online Mindfulness Course for Hospital Doctors During COVID-19 Pandemic on Resilience and Coping. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 13. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319221138425
Hart, J., Orange, J. S., Runkle, W. M., Catallozzi, M., Bombacie, M., Smerling, A., & Strauss, H. B. (2023). POWER: Promoting Overall Well-Being Engagement and Resilience in Pediatrics—Implementing a Department-Wide Initiative Including Students, Staff and Faculty. Integrative and Complementary Therapies, 29(2), 60-64. https://doi.org/10.1089/ict.2023.29062.jha
Heath, C., Sommerfield, A., & Ungern‐Sternberg, B. S. v. (2020). Resilience Strategies to Manage Psychological Distress Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review. Anaesthesia, 75(10), 1364-1371. https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15180
Hussein, S., Ishaky, L., Nowrouzi‐Kia, B., Laughton, S., & Gohar, B. (2025). Exploring the Readiness to Practice of Underrepresented Healthcare Workers: A Scoping Review. Sage Open Medicine, 13. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121241312532
Jerjes, W., & Majeed, A. (2025). The Unseen Costs of Medical Training in the UK: A Growing Crisis. Frontiers in Medicine, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1592010
Johnson, J., Al‐Ghunaim, T., Biyani, C. S., Montgomery, A., Morley, R., & O’Connor, D. B. (2021). Burnout in Surgical Trainees: A Narrative Review of Trends, Contributors, Consequences and Possible Interventions. Indian Journal of Surgery, 84(S1), 35-44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-021-03047-y
Khubchandani, J., Batra, K., Yockey, R. A., Webb, F. J., & Banerjee, S. (2024). Health Care Workers’ Risk Behaviors and Health Status: Hidden Realities or New Paradigms? Journal of Medicine Surgery and Public Health, 2, 100097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100097
Lazarides, A. L., Belay, E. S., Anastasio, A. T., Cook, C., & Anakwenze, O. (2021). Physician Burnout and Professional Satisfaction in Orthopedic Surgeons During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Work a Journal of Prevention Assessment & Rehabilitation, 69(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.3233/wor-205288
Maunder, R., Heeney, N. D., Strudwick, G., Shin, H. D., O’Neill, B., Young, N. K., Jeffs, L., Barrett, K., Bodmer, N. S., Born, K., Hopkins, J., Jüni, P., Perkhun, A., Price, D., Razak, F., Mushquash, C. J., & Mah, L. (2021). Burnout in Hospital-Based Healthcare Workers During COVID-19. https://doi.org/10.47326/ocsat.2021.02.46.1.0
McEwen, A., Davys, A. M., & Weil, J. (2025). Supervision for Genetic Counselors: The Role of Career‐long Supervision to Develop Resilient Practitioners. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.70014
Mohammed, S., Walker, J., Zambrana, E. H., Gupta, V., Jung, K., Pandi‐Perumal, S. R., & Manzar, M. D. (2025). Self-Regulation Mediates the Relationship Between Stress and Quality of Life in Shift-Working Healthcare Professionals: Behavioral Clustering Insights. European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education, 15(9), 180. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15090180
Morgan, M. V. (2021). Promoting Student Wellness and Self-Care During COVID 19: The Role of Institutional Wellness. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.797355
Naeeni, S. K., & Nouhi, N. (2023). Job Burnout Mitigation: A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Strategies and Interventions. KMAN Counseling and Psychology Nexus, 1(1), 91-101. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.psychnexus.1.1.12
Naughton, S., Marques, L., Murphy, F., & Clarke, M. (2025). What Should Primary Prevention in Burnout Look Like? Promoting Attributes, Roles and Social Networks With Instrumental Outcomes. Medical Science Educator, 35(2), 1093-1100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-024-02276-6
Owen, J., Crouch-Read, L., & Fisher, P. (2021). Stress and Burnout in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Trainees: A Systematic Review. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 14. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1754470x21000179
Pouramin, P., Taylor, R. W., Llaneras, N. S., Sivakumar, A., Ridley, C. H., Mackinnon, S. E., & Krauss, E. M. (2025). Five Practical Video Modules to Reduce Physician Burnout Through Mindfulness and Systematic Review of Evidence. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 13(8), e6878. https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000006878
Preis, H., Dobias, M., Cohen, K., Bojsza, E., Whitney, C., & Pati, S. (2022). A Mixed-Methods Program Evaluation of the Alda Healthcare Experience- A Program to Improve Healthcare Team Communication. BMC Medical Education, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03972-w
Schwartz, A. C., & Brenner, A. M. (2021). Psychiatric Education and COVID-19: Challenges, Responses, and Future Directions. Academic Psychiatry, 45(5), 535-538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-021-01530-y
Seo, C., Corrado, M., Fournier, K., Bailey, T., & Haykal, K.-A. (2021). Addressing the Physician Burnout Epidemic With Resilience Curricula in Medical Education: A Systematic Review. BMC Medical Education, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02495-0
Sheikhrabori, A., Peyrovi, H., & Khankeh, H. R. (2022). The Main Features of Resilience in Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review. Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran. https://doi.org/10.47176/mjiri.36.3
Shiri, R., Nikunlaakso, R., & Laitinen, J. (2023). Effectiveness of Workplace Interventions to Improve Health and Well-Being of Health and Social Service Workers: A Narrative Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. Healthcare, 11(12), 1792. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121792
Steffey, M. A., Griffon, D. J., Risselada, M., Scharf, V. F., Buote, N. J., Zamprogno, H., & Winter, A. L. (2023). Veterinarian Burnout Demographics and Organizational Impacts: A Narrative Review. Frontiers in veterinary science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1184526
Wong, F. L., Ashtiani, N., Cuomo, R., Shirazi, A., Herbert, M. S., Chu, G. M., & Shapiro, D. (2025). The Impact of a Mindful Compassion Program for Medical Trainees. BMC Medical Education, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07439-6
Yu, A., Wilkes, M. S., Iosif, A. M., Rea, M., Fisher, A., Fine, J., Perry, R., Rice, E., Jandrey, K. E., Griffin, E., & Sciolla, A. (2021). Exploring the Relationships Between Resilience and News Monitoring With COVID Distress in Health Profession Students. Academic Psychiatry, 45(5), 566-574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-021-01444-9
Zeng, Z., Lu, Z., Zeng, X., Gan, Y., Jiang, J., Chen, Y., & Huang, L. (2024). Professional Identity and Its Associated Psychosocial Factors Among Physicians From Standardized Residency Training Programs in China: A National Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers in Medicine, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1413126
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Reem Al-Sabah (Author); Hossein Rostami
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
