EMOTIONAL BURNOUT OF SOCIAL WORKERS iN THE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC: FEATURES OF MANIFESTATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF OVERCOMING"

Professional burnout among social workers/heads of detachments of the penitentiary system of the Kyrgyz Republic is a pressing problem associated with high levels of emotional stress, complex social interactions, and strict functional requirements.The study utilised an anonymous survey of 91 employees of the State Penitentiary Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, including five department heads and 86 social workers. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used to assess levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and decreased personal accomplishment. The Brief COPE questionnaire was then used to assess stress coping strategies (active coping, planning, positive reappraisal, use of social support, humour, and religious practices), as well as manipulative strategies such as avoidance, denial, self-defeat, and substance use. Most staff members used stress coping strategies, but some respondents resorted to maladaptive mechanisms. A link was found between the use of adaptive coping strategies by social workers who are unit leaders in the Kyrgyz penitentiary system and lower levels of professional burnout.The results highlight the need to implement programmes for psychological support and the development of emotional intelligence among social workers in the penitentiary system to reduce the risk of professional burnout in the early stages of professional activity.