Date

5-20-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Natalie Hamrick

Keywords

rest, recovery, burnout, stress, spiritual rest practices, helping professions

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

Individuals who work in the helping professions, identified as those careers within the fields of health care, medicine, education, psychology, and social work, report higher levels of stress and burnout than the average worker for these constructs. Research to address these higher levels within the helping professions has focused on both individual and organizational interventions. While rest and recovery have been explored as a means of reducing work stress, there is a lack of literature on the specific use of spiritual rest practices. This randomized controlled pilot study gathered information on the impact of spiritual rest practices on stress and burnout, how this impact differs from that of non-spiritual rest practices or no rest practice, and feasibility/accessibility data to inform the design of a full study. Results from statistical analysis showed that while the time x group interaction for stress was not significant, F(2,16) = .075, p = .928, the spiritual rest practices group did experience a pre- to post-intervention reduction in stress levels. Similarly, there was not a significant difference in burnout F(2,16) = 1.795, p = .186, although the non-spiritual rest practices group had a slight increase in burnout from pre to post intervention, whereas the spiritual rest group had a slight decrease (p = < .001) (n2p = .009). The spiritual rest group reported significantly higher levels of meaning (t (4.160) = 18, p = <.001, r2 = .490, 95% CI [1.238, 3.762]), peace (t (4) = -6.71, p = .004, r2 = .328, 95% CI [.640, 3.76]), letting go (t (4) = -6.71, p = .019, r2 = .217, 95% CI [.102, 3.298]), and acceptance without judgment (t (4) = -6.71, p = .032, r2 = .178, 95% CI [-.092, 3.092]) than those in the non-spiritual rest group. Over 75% of participants scored a four or higher on all four questions concerning feasibility and acceptability, and 85% of participants said that they were either slightly agree or strongly agree that they plan to continue to incorporate a daily rest practice after work into their schedules, even after the two-week intervention period was over. These findings support this pilot study as a research project that could be developed into a randomized controlled trial to measure the impact of spiritual rest practices on stress and burnout among those in the helping professions. This study contributes not only to the current field of knowledge on spiritual rest practices but also has practical implications for both leaders and workers. Organizations and leaders can use the information from this study to inform workplace practices that promote rest practices, specifically spiritual rest practices, as they have positive outcomes for employees. Individuals can benefit from this study in gaining an understanding of spiritual rest practices, how they may impact both stress and burnout, and use the intervention guide to begin a rest practice of their own.

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