"Perceived Anxiety Symptoms of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts Who Wo" by Elyra Gonzalez

Date of Conferral

1-16-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Denise Horton

Abstract

The increase in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses has led to a rise in mental health issues among board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs). Burnout has been identified as the primary cause of emotional exhaustion, poor work-life balance, and stress. Despite this, direct interviews with BCBAs are limited. Previous research has indicated that BCBAs face high demands in their work; however, their mental health has not been thoroughly evaluated. Cognitive appraisal theory was used to demonstrate that the perceived symptoms are associated with anxiety, not just burnout. Semi-structured interviews with 10 BCBAs were conducted to gain direct feedback on their view of working with those with ASD in this qualitative, phenomenological study. This study showed that BCBAs had four themes that emerged, including work-life balance, stress, workload/time management, job satisfaction, and anxiety. BCBAs find joy in their jobs and find it rewarding despite having to work late, work evenings, feelings of arousal, stress, feeling overwhelmed, taking work home, and tasks taking longer than expected, which had led to symptoms of anxiety. This would be an important contribution to the existing literature and would enhance social change initiatives by helping BCBAs to better reflect on their mental health and take steps to improve it as well as shed light on the growing mental health symptoms BCBAs are exhibiting.

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