Stress, coping and burnout among military clinicians

Guided by the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study objective was to examine work-related stressors, coping strategies, coping resources and burnout among US active-duty military clinicians. The research question was: What are the inter-relationships between work-related stressors, coping strategies and burnout, among military clinicians? We hypothesized that: military clinicians’ burnout was positively associated with work-related stressors and negatively associated with effective positive coping strategies. We conducted a cross-sectional quantitative survey (n = 129) and in-depth qualitative interviews (n = 27), employing multivariable logistic regressions and thematic analysis respectively. Approximately two-thirds (63%) of military clinicians reported burnout. Workplace stressors associated with burnout included chaotic work environments (AOR: 3.72; 95% CI: 1.30–10.61), high patient volume (AOR: 3.74; 95% CI: 1.11–12.59), lack of autonomy (AOR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.09–5.67), and insufficient documentation time (AOR: 3.80; 95% CI: 1.51; 9.60). Coping strategies inversely associated with burnout included focusing on positive aspects of life (AOR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.06–0.47), expressing emotions (AOR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10–0.80), and typically demonstrating resilience after setbacks (AOR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.08–0.63). Qualitative interviews reflected a lack of coping resources such as inadequate leadership support, limited access to confidential mental health care, and challenges maintaining work-life balance. Findings underscore the need for organizationally embedded interventions such as targeted leadership training, promotion of clinician agency, and accessible mental health resources that address both occupational risks and resilience-building across the career span.