Strain Psychology
When work takes a mental toll – and calls for shared understanding and action
Strain psychology is about what happens to people when they are exposed to psychological strain – and how burnout and compassion fatigue can be prevented and managed at work.
This is particularly relevant in jobs where professionals are closely exposed to other people’s pain, suffering and difficult life circumstances. In these roles, strain is not the exception but an inherent part of the work.
Strain psychology helps us understand why even highly skilled and dedicated professionals can be affected by their work – and what is needed to prevent strain from developing into a harmful mental imbalance.
What is strain psychology?
Strain psychology is a field concerned with the psychological reactions that can arise when people are exposed to strain in their work over time.
It focuses, among other things, on:
- How psychological strain develops
- How strain affects thoughts, emotions and behaviour
- How reactions develop over time
- How burnout and compassion fatigue can be regulated and prevented
In strain psychology, these reactions are not seen as signs of weakness or a lack of resilience, but as predictable human responses to the conditions of the work.
Strain psychology in psychologically demanding work
Strain psychology is particularly relevant to the psychosocial work environment of professionals working in what are known as mental high-risk jobs.
This may include work involving:
- Illness, accidents and death
- Trauma and crises
- Violence, threats or abuse
- Strong emotional reactions from other people
But you do not have to work with matters of life and death to be affected.
Any professional working with people – including in areas such as customer service, education or the financial sector – may experience emotional pressure when interacting with customers, citizens or clients.
What types of strain reactions are there?
When strain is not adequately regulated within the framework of the work, it can over time lead to different types of strain reactions. Examples include:
Compassion fatigue
When emotional engagement exceeds the opportunities for recovery.
→ Read more about compassion fatigue.
Secondary traumatic stress
When other people’s traumatic experiences affect the professional.
→ Read more about secondary traumatic stress.
Burnout
When strain becomes prolonged and the work loses its sense of meaning and structure.
→ Read more about burnout.
Brutalization
When strain over time changes the way professionals relate to and interact with other people.
→ Read more about brutalization.
These reactions do not arise in isolation, but through an interplay between the demands of the work, the organisational framework and the opportunities for collective reflection and processing.
How can psychological strain be prevented?
A key principle of strain psychology is that people should not be left to deal with the strain caused by their work on their own. Prevention requires a collective effort – both among colleagues and at an organisational level. This includes:
- A shared language for talking about strain
- Clear roles and responsibilities
- Opportunities for professional reflection
- Psychological safety in collaboration
- Management prioritisation
Preventing harmful mental strain is a team effort.
Strain psychology and the work environment
Strain psychology is closely linked to work on the psychological and psychosocial work environment.
→ Read more about the psychological work environment..
→ Read more about the psychosocial work environment..
When organisations work systematically with strain psychology, they are better able to:
- Identify strain at an earlier stage
- Handle difficult situations more professionally
- Prevent long-term poor wellbeing
- Strengthen the quality of the work
The theory behind strain psychology
Strain psychology was introduced more widely in Denmark by psychologist and crisis expert Rikke Høgsted, who published Grundbog i Belastningspsykologi – forebyggelse af primær og sekundær traumatisering ved psykisk krævende arbejde in 2018.
Today, the book is widely used in professional practice and education and has provided the foundation for work with strain psychology in many organisations.
Four digital implementation courses for professionals in psychologically demanding work
At the Institute of Strain Psychology, we work to strengthen organisations’ ability to understand and manage psychological strain at work. We offer digital implementation courses that provide organisations with a shared professional foundation and practical tools for working with the psychosocial work environment.
The courses are developed for professionals and managers in psychologically demanding work and are grounded in the collective knowledge from the Institute’s books and practice. Book a free course demo to learn more about how you can work systematically with the prevention of burnout in your organisation.
Foundation Course in Strain Psychology
For a holistic approach to managing everyday high emotional demands and exposure to potentially traumatic events.
Foundation Course in Psychological First Aid
For collective crisis response when something unexpected happens — and the group must manage an extraordinary psychological strain together.
Foundation Course in Psychological Safety
Ensuring that tools and methods truly work in practice — rather than remaining well-written policies in contingency plans.
Foundation Course in Psychosocial Prevention
Creating a shared understanding of what proactive, collective prevention looks like in daily practice.
We collaborate with
out of 98 municipalities
70
Danish regions
5
professionals and leaders at all levels have gained knowledge of strain psychology
100000
… as well as a wide range of public and private organisations.
Selected partners include:
A team of experts
...close to your everyday reality
When you book a consultant from the Institute for Strain Psychology, you meet an engaged and experienced specialist with deep professional knowledge and a strong commitment to practice.
Our consultants communicate complex knowledge about strain psychology with clarity, presence, and professional depth — always grounded in a holistic perspective.
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