A COSMIN systematic review of the psychometric properties of coping skills outcome measures, and an Empirical study of factors that predict burnout and wellbeing within the homelessness workforce

Johnson, Rachel 2025. A COSMIN systematic review of the psychometric properties of coping skills outcome measures, and an Empirical study of factors that predict burnout and wellbeing within the homelessness workforce. ClinPsy Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) degree. It consists of two papers: a systematic review and an empirical report. The research addresses two interconnected issues: coping skills measurement and the psychological wellbeing of staff working in homelessness services (coping skills is one of the independent variables in the empirical study). The first section presents a systematic review of the psychometric properties of general coping outcome measures. The measurement of coping skills is central to understanding how individuals respond to stress and adversity, yet there is no consensus on the best measure for assessing these skills. This review assessed the quality of available coping measures by evaluating their psychometric properties. Thirty-two studies assessed twelve outcome measures. These studies were evaluated using the COSMIN methodology, which provided a robust framework for determining the reliability and validity of the measures. Findings revealed that the overall methodological quality of the studies varied, with many outcome measures exhibiting poor content validity, particularly due to inadequate development processes. One exception was the Cultural Mix Coping Inventory (CMCI), which showed some promising results. However, the Brief Cope, the most widely used measure, presented inconsistent results regarding structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity. The review concludes by recommending that further research is needed to improve the psychometric properties of coping measures and to ensure they are well-suited to their intended populations. The second section is an empirical report investigating the factors that predict burnout and the psychological wellbeing of staff working in homelessness services. Staff in these settings face demanding environments characterised by high caseloads and exposure to traumatic experiences, all of which can impact both the mental health of the staff and the quality of care provided to service users. This study aimed to test a predictive model of workplace wellbeing, exploring whether factors such as self-efficacy, coping skills, trauma exposure, and perceived organisational support could predict burnout and wellbeing. A sample of 151 participants working in homelessness services across the UK completed an online survey that included seven standardised questionnaires and a demographics questionnaire. Results revealed elevated burnout levels in the sample compared to population norms. Self-efficacy and perceived organisational support were found to have significant negative correlations with burnout, while avoidance coping and trauma symptoms were positively correlated with burnout. Regression analyses showed that self-efficacy, avoidant coping, trauma symptoms, and perceptions of organisational support were strong statistical predictors of burnout. Furthermore, self-efficacy, coping skills, trauma symptoms and perceptions of organisational support were significant statistical predictors of staff wellbeing. These findings highlight the need for organisational interventions that enhance coping skills and self-efficacy and recognise the impact of trauma, to reduce burnout and improve the overall wellbeing of the homelessness workforce. Together, these two studies contribute to a deeper understanding of both the measurement of coping strategies and the impact of psychologically challenging environments faced by staff working with homeless populations. The theoretical contributions include insights into the complexities of coping assessment and identifying critical factors influencing burnout among staff in high-stress settings. The findings have important implications for improving staff support and service delivery in homelessness services. Specifically, the research suggests that interventions to improve self-efficacy and coping strategies could be pivotal in reducing burnout and enhancing staff wellbeing. Additionally, organisational support and culture are emphasised to mitigate the impact of trauma exposure on staff. These insights are valuable for clinicians working in homelessness services and policymakers seeking to improve the workforce's wellbeing while ensuring quality care for vulnerable populations.

Item Type:	Thesis (DClinPsy)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	11 September 2025
Last Modified:	11 Sep 2025 13:40
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181043

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