Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Advisor

Christopher Burnett

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) occupations are difficult and impact their physical and mental wellbeing, including symptoms of stress, burnout, bereavement, anxiety, trauma, depression, and suicide. There is a long history of mental health stigma in the healthcare field. With the onset of SARS-CoV-2 virus (coronavirus or COVID-19), HCWs mental health and personal sacrifice were thrust into the public spotlight. Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) assisted HCWs, notably through the sub-specialty of medical family therapy (MedFT) beginning in the 1980s to the present. However, MedFTs usually collaborated alongside HCWs, rather than directly assisted HCWs experiencing mental health concerns. As such, it appears with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and previous history of pervasive mental health difficulties, there is a need for MFTs to join the conversation regarding HCWs mental health experiences. There is also limited research on how HCWs professions impact those outside the individual, including how couples and families may be impacted by having a loved one work in healthcare. The present study explored HCWs’ couple relationships during COVID-19 from a systemic perspective utilizing Bowen Natural Systems theory to explore the impact of healthcare on couples. Bowen’s theory provided a theoretical lens to explore the ways in which anxiety impacts a family system and can similarly be applied to an organizational system, like that of healthcare.

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