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Clinical Psychology and Special Education
2026. Vol. 15, no. 1, 79–94
doi:10.17759/cpse.2026150106
ISSN: 2304-0394 (online)

The effects of the “dual role” phenomenon as determinants of occupational burnout among Christian pastors

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. The activity of modern priests involves combining various vocational roles, which is labeled in scientific discourse as a “dual role”. Such effects of the “dual role” phenomenon in the priestly vocation as role ambiguity and role conflict are studied in psychological science from the point of view of their influence on the occurrence of burnout syndrome in clergy. To prevent professional burnout among clergymen, it is necessary to understand which personality characteristics influence adaptation to the effects of a “dual role” in pastoral work. Objective. To consider the interrelation of the effects of the “dual role” phenomenon with professional burnout among priests, to identify personal characteristics that influence the perception by Orthodox priests of the effects of the “dual role” phenomenon in their profession. Hypothesis. The key personal characteristics that influence priests’ perception of the effects of the “dual role” phenomenon in their profession are hardiness and the ability to manage their emotions. Methods and materials. The study involved 63 clergymen of the Orthodox Church (average age 43 years). The following methods were used: Maslach Burnout Inventory (adapted by N.E. Vodopyanova and E.S. Starchenkova), World Assumption Scale (adapted by O.A. Kravtsova), Satisfaction with Life Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale (adapted by D.A. Leontiev), Hardiness Survey by S. Maddi (adapted by D.A. Leontiev), the Emotional Intelligence Test (EmIn) (D.V. Lyusin, research modification by S.A. Bogomaz). Results. The results showed that hardiness and the ability to manage their own emotions are key personal characteristics that enable priests to successfully adapt to the effects of the “dual role” phenomenon and cope with professional burnout. Conclusions. The importance of emotions, motivation and competence in the perception of the “dual role” phenomenon in the profession of a clergyman is shown. In order to successfully adapt to the effects of the “dual role” phenomenon and counteract professional burnout, priests should increase their hardiness and be able to manage their emotions.

General Information

Keywords: occupational burnout, dual role, role ambiguity, role conflict, priests

Journal rubric: Empirical Research

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2026150106

Acknowledgements. The authors thank L.V. Glushkova for her assistance in collecting the data for the study.

Received 25.03.2025

Revised 20.11.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Morozov, E.M., Levickaya, T.E., Bogomaz, S.A., Cexmejstruk, E.A. (2026). The effects of the “dual role” phenomenon as determinants of occupational burnout among Christian pastors. Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 15(1), 79–94. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2026150106

© Morozov E.M., Levickaya T.E., Bogomaz S.A., Cexmejstruk E.A., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Evgeniy M. Morozov, Senior Lecturer, Department of Genetic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1796-3706, e-mail: realens@mail.ru

Tatyana E. Levickaya, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor, Head of the of the Department of Genetic and Clinical Psychology, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6586-3075, e-mail: Levic69@mail.ru

Sergey A. Bogomaz, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Professor of the Department of Genetic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8955-5621, e-mail: bogomazsa@mail.ru

Ekaterina A. Cexmejstruk, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor of the Department of Genetic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5808-2622, e-mail: mea2887@mail.ru

Contribution of the authors

Morozov E.M. — research ideas; annotation, writing and formatting the manuscript, conducting the survey, collecting data.

Levitskaya T.E. — research planning; monitoring the conduct of the study.

Bogomaz S.A. — application of statistical methods for data analysis; visualization of research results.

Tsekhmeistruk E.A. — data analysis.

All authors participated in the discussion of the results and agreed on the final text of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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