TOWARDS ASSESSING AND MANAGING BURNOUT AMONG THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH CLERICS FOCUS ON MUTUAL AIDS AND AGE FACTOR

Abstract

Burnout among pastors has become a growing concern, particularly within faith-based organizations where clergy members often face immense spiritual, emotional, and psychological demands. This herculean task results to stress and burnout that impedes the mentally and physical well-being of clerics. To find solution to militating factors, this study therefore assessed the prevalence of burnout among pastors in the church. This study used quasi-experimental, pre-test, post-test, control group design involving two treatments and one control group. Multistage sampling process was adopted. Eighty-nine (89) Pastors participated in the study; two instruments were used for the study: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and The Job Situation Questionnaire (JSQ). Two hypotheses were generated and tested for this study indicated a significant difference among the three experimental groups as regards mutual aid and age factor. (P < 0.05; F(4, 79)=2.49; F(2, 79)=3.11 ; F-value (1.208) is less than the critical F-value [F(4, 77) = 2.490] at the 0.05 level). Findings revealed that exposure to cognitive restructuring and mutual aid therapy has significant effects as means of ameliorating stress and burnout among clerics. As recommended periodic mental health assessments, continuous professional development in stress management, mindfulness, peer support, workload delegation and implementing policies that promote work-life balance will enhance resilience and reduce exhaustion.