This seminar presentation will be given by Dr Kathryn Kissell, Visiting Fellow in the School of Business.

Rates of stress and burnout continue to rise and while the aetiology of work-related psychological health is complex and multifaceted there is increasing evidence that the quality of interpersonal relationships plays a fundamental role. Unrealistic expectations and interpersonal conflict can act as significant draining demands while support from management or colleagues can resource and protect from stress.

Bowen family systems theory unpacks the relational systems within the workplace and understands stress as resulting from an interaction between one’s position in anxious emotional systems and one’s level of differentiation. Differentiation encapsulates one’s emotional functioning and interpersonal behaviour when under pressure and Bowen coaching focuses on enhancing these capacities to strengthen resilience.

This talk considers the impact of Bowen coaching through the findings of a quantitative research project conducted with Church of England clergy. Coaching increased participants’ levels of differentiation, reduced their experience of work-related demands as stressful and enhanced their capacity to utilise relationships as sources of support. The results indicate the value of Bowen coaching to enhance well-being within the workplace and highlight the importance of considering the relational dimension of burnout.

‘ResearchToday!’ is a series that shows the research in the Business School, and is a forum to foster the collaboration and exchange among colleagues