An exploration of the role of competitiveness and mental health outcomes in Trainee Clinical Psychologists.

Tazzini, Gabriella (2023) An exploration of the role of competitiveness and mental health outcomes in Trainee Clinical Psychologists. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Purpose: This thesis aims to explore the relationship between competitiveness and mental health in a) student samples across further and higher education and b) in trainee clinical psychologists (“trainees”) whilst accounting for the role of perfectionism.

Design: The portfolio is comprised of the following: a) an introduction to the context of the thesis, b) a systematic review of the literature examining the link between competitiveness and mental health in students, c) a bridging chapter which summarises competitiveness and mental health in medical students and trainees, d) an empirical research paper examining competitiveness, perfectionism and mental health outcomes in trainees using quantitative methods, e) additional methodologies, f) an extended results chapter summarising the findings across first- second-, and third- year trainees, and g) a concluding discussion and critical evaluation.

Results: This thesis highlights the multi-dimensional nature of competitiveness as a concept and recognises the heterogeneity in how the relationship between competitiveness and mental health is measured in students. Provisional evidence suggests hypercompetitiveness is associated with poorer mental health outcomes, but this is limited. Competitiveness was not found to be a predictor of mental health in trainees, however provisional findings suggest that there may be differences between year groups on the course. The empirical paper further highlights the role of perfectionism, specifically self-evaluative discrepancy, to significantly predict anxiety, depression and quality of life in trainees.

Conclusion: The portfolio reports research which is the first to directly examine competitiveness in trainee Clinical Psychologists and explore the relationship with trainee’s mental health. It provides a foundation for future research to develop the understanding of competitiveness in student populations, particularly competitiveness as a factor of the environment. The findings have implications for higher education contexts and specifically Clinical Psychology training providers with regards to, for example, processes of competency evaluation and supporting trainee wellbeing.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2023 14:20
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2023 14:20
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/93607
DOI:

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