The objective of this study was to assess the potential levels of burnout syndrome in occupational therapists in Spain, as well as the risk factors involved in its prevalence. The data were obtained through an online survey. The tool utilised for this purpose was the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS) that takes into consideration the following dimensions: emotional fatigue, depersonalisation and reduction of personal satisfaction. A sociodemographic questionnaire was also utilised. The sample of the study included 758 occupational therapists, 90.8% of whom were women and 9.2% of whom were men. For identifying the variables associated to the presence of burnout, the prevalence was compared through the chi-squared test, and the odds ratios by age were calculated through the binary logistic regression model. We found that 69.4% of the occupational therapists presented burnout syndrome and especially emotional fatigue (63.5%). Likewise, relevant and significant differences in the prevalence of burnout syndrome were observed depending on the age, marital status, number of children, work field and type of workday. We can conclude that burnout syndrome poses a clear risk for the health of occupational therapists that could have direct consequences on the work environment, affecting the way the interventions are performed with patients. This study could help to raise awareness on this reality and the factors implied. We suggest the implementation of measures (individual, labour and political) both for the prevention of burnout in occupational therapists as well as for reducing the levels of those who suffer from it.

The purpose of this research is to describe how the mothers of children with disabilities in rural areas of Extremadura perceive care tasks and the subjective impact that these tasks have on their daily life and health, as well as the subjective assessment that these mothers make of the benefits and services of the Spanish welfare policy. An interpretative paradigm was selected, using a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design. Twelve mothers were included. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. A discourse analysis of the narrative information was performed using open, axial, and selective coding processes and the constant comparative method. Three topics have been extracted from the findings of the analysis: (1) extensive care responsibilities, (2) impacts upon well-being and daily life, and (3) resources that “barely” help. The care tasks performed by mothers of children with disabilities in rural areas have an enormous impact on their daily life and health. This involvement in caregiving generates a significant occupational imbalance which has an impact on their mental health, and which causes economic and social problems.

(1) Objective: to explore and describe the relationship between the occupational balance of university students taking a Degree in Occupational Therapy and the problematic use of the Internet and how these, in turn, favour or not the appearance of phubbing behaviour which involves “a behaviour that happens when an individual looks at his mobile phone during a conversation with other individuals, escaping from interpersonal communication”. (2) Methods: this is a quantitative descriptive study of an observational and cross-sectional nature, not experimental. The Spanish version of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ-E), the Internet Addiction Test and the Phubbing Scale were used for data collection. 192 university students taking the Degree in Occupational Therapy of the University of Castilla–La Mancha participated (168 women and 24 men). (3) Results: the average score obtained in the OBQ-E was 38.7, indicating a moderate occupational balance; and (4) Conclusions: occupational therapy students from the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Castilla–La Mancha have a moderate occupational balance. Furthermore, this is negatively related to both problematic Internet use and phubbing, so a higher occupational balance indicates less Internet addiction and less phubbing.

Objective: to explore the perception and experience of fathers of children with disabilities in caring for their children; to know their role and how these tasks impact their daily life, health and physical, mental and/or emotional well-being. Methodology: qualitative approach study with phenomenological design. The sample consisted of seven young fathers of underage children with various diagnoses. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews; the discourse analysis was carried out through open and axial coding processes. Three themes emerged from the results of the analysis: (1) shared responsibilities, (2) somewhat difficult to fit in, and (3) either you join or you split. Results: Fathers must readjust their work schedule, reduce their working hours, or give up their job altogether to take care of their children, as well as give up their social life. They lack time to enjoy their leisure time, to spend time with their partner, to take care of themselves. This involvement in caregiving generates an important occupational imbalance that has repercussions above all on their mental health. Conclusions: The sharing of caregiving tasks also impacts significantly on parents’ lives, it also takes away time and opportunities, and sometimes health and quality of life.

Background: In the field of healthcare, higher skills in emotional intelligence (EI) have been proven to have a positive impact on healthcare professionals in general and occupational therapists in particular and also on teamwork and patient care. The purpose of this research was to determine whether performing practical work included in the undergraduate Occupational Therapy program improves students' self-perceived EI, and whether there are any differences in the latter depending on the area in which this practical training is performed. Methods: It was conducted a multicenter, quasi-experimental, pre-post study with Occupational Therapy undergraduate students in the 2016–2017 academic year. A total of 184 students met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 10 (5.40%) declined to participate; therefore, the participation rate was 94.60% and the initial sample comprised 174 students. Mean age was 21.34 years (SD = 2.54) and 84.50% (n = 147) were women. Students' self-perceived EI was measured with the Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24 (TMMS-24). This measure was completed in the two weeks prior to the start of the practical training period and one week after the end of it. McNemar-Bowker and McNemar tests were used to analyze the differences in self-perceived EI between these two points in time. Results: After the practical training, an improvement in self-perceived EI was observed in women (Emotional Attention, Emotional Clarity, and Emotional Regulation dimensions). Regarding areas of practical training, results showed an improvement in EI in women who had received practical training in the areas of Physical Rehabilitation, Mental Health and Geriatrics and Gerontology. Conclusions: The findings contribute to a better understanding of the relation between practical training and an improvement in self-perceived EI. This insight can help make changes in the teaching methodology to enhance the emotional skills needed for a better professional performance.