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Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Occupational Safety and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 130293

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Social and Organizational Psychology Department, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
Interests: occupational health; leadership; entrepreneurship; retirement

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Social and Organizational Psychology Department, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
Interests: entrepreneurship; leadership; intrapreneurship; quality of life; particularly, from a gender perspective

Special Issue Information

A growing body of empirical evidence shows that occupational health is now more relevant than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Occupational stress in health-care workers has attracted the attention of many researchers. In addition, other professionals have also experienced major changes in the workplace (e.g., teleworking). A Special Issue on occupational health is both timely and necessary in order to acquire a greater understanding of recent developments and studies in this field, and to identify and analyze best practices. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive approach to occupational health from a broad range of perspectives. For instance, leadership is a relevant variable to consider as employees’ perception about their superiors’ particular leadership style is related to their well-being at work. Other recommended topics may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Work and organizational psychology;
  • Occupational health (with a focus on promotion);
  • Psychosocial risk factors at work settings (with a focus on prevention);
  • Work-related stress;
  • Burnout and related variables (e.g., exhaustion, cynicism, detachment from the job, professional self-efficacy);
  • Employees wellbeing and key indicators (e.g., work engagement);
  • Absenteeism, presenteeism, and work addiction;
  • How to create and promote healthy organizations.

We welcome submissions addressing these topics, especially quantitative papers combining advanced methodology and a high academic standard together with practical implications in organizational settings.

Dr. Juan A. Moriano
Dr. Ana Laguía
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Occupational health
  • Organizational psychology
  • Leadership
  • Prevention of occupational hazards
  • Employee wellbeing
  • Work-related stress
  • Burnout
  • Work addiction
  • Absenteeism and presenteeism
  • Psychological burden.

Published Papers (22 papers)

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20 pages, 1384 KiB  
Article
Exploring High vs. Low Burnout amongst Public Sector Educators: COVID-19 Antecedents and Profiles
by Ana Pérez-Luño, Miriam Díez Piñol and Simon L. Dolan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020780 - 11 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2050
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a prolonged impact on many people working in different sectors. This paper focuses on the psychological stress consequences of professionals working in the educational sector in Andalucía (Spain). Using a sample of 340 educators, this empirical paper identifies [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a prolonged impact on many people working in different sectors. This paper focuses on the psychological stress consequences of professionals working in the educational sector in Andalucía (Spain). Using a sample of 340 educators, this empirical paper identifies the antecedents and profiles of those that ended up with burnout vs. those that were able to develop resilience. Results from OLS regressions show that regardless of the origins of stress, the principal determinant of burnout is clearly a lack of support and a perception of an inability to control a situation. Furthermore, results also show that working sources have a higher impact on the configuration of high burnout, while family sources harm those who are more resilient (low burnout). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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12 pages, 1235 KiB  
Article
Security Providing Leadership: A Job Resource to Prevent Employees’ Burnout
by Juan A. Moriano, Fernando Molero, Ana Laguía, Mario Mikulincer and Phillip R. Shaver
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12551; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312551 - 28 Nov 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3846
Abstract
Leadership styles in work contexts play a role in employees’ well-being, contributing to better health or, on the contrary, being a source of stress. In this study we propose that security providing leadership may be considered as a resource to prevent employees’ job [...] Read more.
Leadership styles in work contexts play a role in employees’ well-being, contributing to better health or, on the contrary, being a source of stress. In this study we propose that security providing leadership may be considered as a resource to prevent employees’ job burnout. First, we examine the relationship between employees’ perception of their leader’s degree of security in providing leadership and the employees’ degree of job-related burnout. Second, the underlying processes by which leaders as security providers exert their influence on burnout are analyzed with a focus on the mediating role of two variables: an organizational climate oriented to psychological safety and organizational dehumanization. A total of 655 Spanish employees (53.7% women) completed a paper-and-pencil self-report questionnaire. To recruit participants, we employed an exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling. Results, using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test hypotheses, show that security providing leadership was related negatively to burnout. Furthermore, psychological safety climate and organizational dehumanization mediated the relationship between security providing leadership and burnout. These findings support the attachment approach to leadership and open new avenues for creating better organizational environments. Security-providing leaders, by supporting employees and treating them in a personalized way, can enhance the psychological safety climate and prevent organizational dehumanization and consequent job burnout. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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23 pages, 4371 KiB  
Article
How Do Teleworkers and Organizations Manage the COVID-19 Crisis in Brazil? The Role of Flexibility I-Deals and Work Recovery in Maintaining Sustainable Well-Being at Work
by Felisa Latorre, Amalia Raquel Pérez-Nebra, Fabiana Queiroga and Carlos-María Alcover
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12522; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312522 - 28 Nov 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2508
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the economic market and labor contexts worldwide. Brazil has suffered one of the worst social and governmental managements of the COVID-19 crisis, forcing workers and organizations to develop coping strategies. This environment can affect both well-being and performance [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the economic market and labor contexts worldwide. Brazil has suffered one of the worst social and governmental managements of the COVID-19 crisis, forcing workers and organizations to develop coping strategies. This environment can affect both well-being and performance at work. Sustainable well-being at work refers to different patterns of relationships between performance and well-being. It may include eudaimonic (e.g., Meaning of Work—MOW) or hedonic (e.g., emotions) forms of well-being. This study tests the moderating role of recovery from work stress in the relationship between flexibility i-deals and patterns of sustainable well-being at work in Brazilian teleworkers. We relied on two studies to achieve this objective. In Study 1, conducted during the pandemic’s first outbreak in Brazil (N = 386), recovery experiences moderated the relationship between i-deals and clusters formed by performance and MOW (eudaimonic happiness). In Study 2, conducted during the second outbreak (N = 281), we identified relationships between clusters of emotions (hedonic happiness) and MOW (eudaimonic) with performance. The results supported the idea that recovery experiences moderated the relationship between i-deals and patterns of sustainable well-being at work differently. Our findings have implications for Human Resource Management and teleworkers, especially for employee behaviors to deal with stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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12 pages, 749 KiB  
Article
Psychological Capital and Family Satisfaction among Employees: Do Occupational Stressors Moderate the Relationship?
by Oi-Ling Siu, Qianting Kong and Ting-Kin Ng
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12260; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212260 - 22 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2451
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has created more occupational stressors, particularly work–family interface issues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating role of occupational stressors in the relationship between a personal resource (psychological capital) and family satisfaction. A cross-sectional study was carried [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created more occupational stressors, particularly work–family interface issues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating role of occupational stressors in the relationship between a personal resource (psychological capital) and family satisfaction. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 787 employees (367 males, 420 females) from the Greater Bay Area of China between October and November 2020. Participants completed an online survey which included the Chinese version of the Psychological Capital Questionnaire, measures of occupational stressors from the Work Stress Management DIY Kit and a measure of family satisfaction. Latent moderated structural equation modeling revealed that family satisfaction was positively associated with psychological capital and negatively associated with occupational stressors. Furthermore, occupational stressors weakened the positive association between psychological capital and family satisfaction. These findings provided empirical evidence for the work–home resources model and may suggest that it would be beneficial to boost psychological capital and reduce occupational stressors of employees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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14 pages, 1003 KiB  
Article
Work Intensification and Psychological Detachment: The Mediating Role of Job Resources in Health Service Workers
by Juan Sandoval-Reyes, Juan C. Restrepo-Castro and Jair Duque-Oliva
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12228; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212228 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2592
Abstract
Psychological detachment is the central experience of recovery from work-related stress that allows individuals to reduce burnout symptoms. The stressor-detachment model (SDM) contends that job resources moderate the relationship between job stressors and psychological detachment. We designed an instrument to measure job resources [...] Read more.
Psychological detachment is the central experience of recovery from work-related stress that allows individuals to reduce burnout symptoms. The stressor-detachment model (SDM) contends that job resources moderate the relationship between job stressors and psychological detachment. We designed an instrument to measure job resources from a multidimensional perspective. A sample of n = 394 individuals from the health service industry participated in the study. Data indicate that job resources comprise a four-factor structure underlying a formative model. Consistent with the SDM, a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis suggests a moderating effect of job resources (e.g., control over working conditions, leaders’ emotional support), between work intensification and psychological detachment. In addition; results indicate that workers who perceive high levels of support from their organization achieved higher levels of detachment compared with those who perceived low levels of support. Theoretical as well as practical implications for stress management practices, occupational health, and well-being are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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24 pages, 1709 KiB  
Article
Identity Leadership, Employee Burnout and the Mediating Role of Team Identification: Evidence from the Global Identity Leadership Development Project
by Rolf van Dick, Berrit L. Cordes, Jérémy E. Lemoine, Niklas K. Steffens, S. Alexander Haslam, Serap Arslan Akfirat, Christine Joy A. Ballada, Tahir Bazarov, John Jamir Benzon R. Aruta, Lorenzo Avanzi, Ali Ahmad Bodla, Aldijana Bunjak, Matej Černe, Kitty B. Dumont, Charlotte M. Edelmann, Olga Epitropaki, Katrien Fransen, Cristina García-Ael, Steffen Giessner, Ilka H. Gleibs, Dorota Godlewska-Werner, Roberto González, Ronit Kark, Ana Laguia Gonzalez, Hodar Lam, Jukka Lipponen, Anna Lupina-Wegener, Yannis Markovits, Mazlan Maskor, Fernando Molero, Lucas Monzani, Juan A. Moriano Leon, Pedro Neves, Gábor Orosz, Diwakar Pandey, Sylwiusz Retowski, Christine Roland-Lévy, Adil Samekin, Sebastian Schuh, Tomoki Sekiguchi, Lynda Jiwen Song, Joana Story, Jeroen Stouten, Lilia Sultanova, Srinivasan Tatachari, Daniel Valdenegro, Lisanne van Bunderen, Dina Van Dijk, Sut I. Wong, Farida Youssef, Xin-an Zhang and Rudolf Kerschreiteradd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12081; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212081 - 17 Nov 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 10900
Abstract
Do leaders who build a sense of shared social identity in their teams thereby protect them from the adverse effects of workplace stress? This is a question that the present paper explores by testing the hypothesis that identity leadership contributes to stronger team [...] Read more.
Do leaders who build a sense of shared social identity in their teams thereby protect them from the adverse effects of workplace stress? This is a question that the present paper explores by testing the hypothesis that identity leadership contributes to stronger team identification among employees and, through this, is associated with reduced burnout. We tested this model with unique datasets from the Global Identity Leadership Development (GILD) project with participants from all inhabited continents. We compared two datasets from 2016/2017 (n = 5290; 20 countries) and 2020/2021 (n = 7294; 28 countries) and found very similar levels of identity leadership, team identification and burnout across the five years. An inspection of the 2020/2021 data at the onset of and later in the COVID-19 pandemic showed stable identity leadership levels and slightly higher levels of both burnout and team identification. Supporting our hypotheses, we found almost identical indirect effects (2016/2017, b = −0.132; 2020/2021, b = −0.133) across the five-year span in both datasets. Using a subset of n = 111 German participants surveyed over two waves, we found the indirect effect confirmed over time with identity leadership (at T1) predicting team identification and, in turn, burnout, three months later. Finally, we explored whether there could be a “too-much-of-a-good-thing” effect for identity leadership. Speaking against this, we found a u-shaped quadratic effect whereby ratings of identity leadership at the upper end of the distribution were related to even stronger team identification and a stronger indirect effect on reduced burnout. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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17 pages, 562 KiB  
Article
Perceived Overqualification, Emotional Exhaustion, and Creativity: A Moderated-Mediation Model Based on Effort–Reward Imbalance Theory
by Zhanxue Gong, Fang Sun and Xiyuan Li
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11367; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111367 - 29 Oct 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3373
Abstract
Overqualification is prevalent in times of economic downturn, and research has increasingly focused on its outcomes. This study aimed to explore the psychological burden caused by perceived overqualification (POQ) and its impact on creativity among high-tech enterprise employees. Drawing from effort–reward imbalance theory, [...] Read more.
Overqualification is prevalent in times of economic downturn, and research has increasingly focused on its outcomes. This study aimed to explore the psychological burden caused by perceived overqualification (POQ) and its impact on creativity among high-tech enterprise employees. Drawing from effort–reward imbalance theory, we examined the effect of POQ on emotional exhaustion, along with the mediating role of emotional exhaustion in the POQ–creativity relationship and the moderating role of pay for performance (PFP) in strengthening the link between POQ and emotional exhaustion. Using cross-sectional data from a sample of 359 employees in China, we found that (1) POQ was positively related to emotional exhaustion; (2) emotional exhaustion was negatively related to creativity; (3) PFP moderated the effect of POQ on emotional exhaustion as well as the indirect effect of POQ on creativity via emotional exhaustion. These findings have both theoretical and practical implications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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13 pages, 574 KiB  
Article
Ethical Leadership and Followers’ Emotional Exhaustion: Exploring the Roles of Three Types of Emotional Labor toward Leaders in South Korea
by Hyewon Lee, Saemi An, Ga Young Lim and Young Woo Sohn
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(20), 10862; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010862 - 15 Oct 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2604
Abstract
Employees’ emotional exhaustion caused by their leaders has significant consequences for both individuals and organizations. Identifying the roles of intra-organizational emotional labor is important to prevent employees’ emotional exhaustion. This study examined the relationships between ethical leadership, followers’ emotional labor toward leaders, and [...] Read more.
Employees’ emotional exhaustion caused by their leaders has significant consequences for both individuals and organizations. Identifying the roles of intra-organizational emotional labor is important to prevent employees’ emotional exhaustion. This study examined the relationships between ethical leadership, followers’ emotional labor toward leaders, and emotional exhaustion using Hobfoll’s conservation of resources theory. Data collected from 259 employees working in South Korea were analyzed using regression and SEM. The results indicate that ethical leadership was negatively related to followers’ emotional exhaustion. It is demonstrated that ethical leadership has a significant indirect relationship with followers’ emotional exhaustion through three types of emotional labor strategies; genuine display, faked display, and suppressed display. Through genuine display and suppressed display, ethical leadership had an indirect and negative relationship with followers’ emotional exhaustion, whereas ethical leadership and followers’ emotional exhaustion showed a positive indirect relationship through faked display. We discuss the implications and limitations of this research and future research directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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19 pages, 713 KiB  
Article
Interest of a Joint Use of Two Diagnostic Tools of Burnout: Comparison between the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and the Early Detection Tool of Burnout Completed by Physicians
by Céline Leclercq, Lutgart Braeckman, Pierre Firket, Audrey Babic and Isabelle Hansez
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10544; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910544 - 08 Oct 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2767
Abstract
Most research on burnout is based on self-reported questionnaires. Nevertheless, as far as the clinical judgement is concerned, a lack of consensus about burnout diagnosis constitutes a risk of misdiagnosis. Hence, this study aims to assess the added value of a joint use [...] Read more.
Most research on burnout is based on self-reported questionnaires. Nevertheless, as far as the clinical judgement is concerned, a lack of consensus about burnout diagnosis constitutes a risk of misdiagnosis. Hence, this study aims to assess the added value of a joint use of two tools and compare their diagnostic accuracy: (1) the early detection tool of burnout, a structured interview guide, and (2) the Oldenburg burnout inventory, a self-reported questionnaire. The interview guide was tested in 2019 by general practitioners and occupational physicians among 123 Belgian patients, who also completed the self-reported questionnaire. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis allowed the identification of a cut-off score for the self-reported questionnaire. Diagnostic accuracy was then contrasted by a McNemar chi-squared test. The interview guide has a significantly higher sensitivity (0.76) than the self-reported questionnaire (0.70), even by comparing the self-reported questionnaires with the interviews of general practitioners and occupational physicians separately. However, both tools have a similar specificity (respectively, 0.60–0.67), except for the occupational physicians’ interviews, where the specificity (0.68) was significantly lower than the self-reported questionnaire (0.70). In conclusion, the early detection tool of burnout is more sensitive than the Oldenburg burnout inventory, but seems less specific. However, by crossing diagnoses reported by patients and by physicians, they both seem useful to support burnout diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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14 pages, 343 KiB  
Article
Emotional Labor, Burnout, Medical Error, and Turnover Intention among South Korean Nursing Staff in a University Hospital Setting
by Chan-Young Kwon, Boram Lee, O-Jin Kwon, Myo-Sung Kim, Kyo-Lin Sim and Yung-Hyun Choi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10111; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910111 - 26 Sep 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4674
Abstract
Nurses are vulnerable to mental health challenges, including burnout, as they are exposed to adverse job conditions such as high workload. The mental health of this population can relate not only to individual well-being but also to patient safety outcomes. Therefore, there is [...] Read more.
Nurses are vulnerable to mental health challenges, including burnout, as they are exposed to adverse job conditions such as high workload. The mental health of this population can relate not only to individual well-being but also to patient safety outcomes. Therefore, there is a need for a mental health improvement strategy that targets this population. This cross-sectional survey study investigates emotional labor, burnout, turnover intention, and medical error levels among 117 nursing staff members in a South Korean university hospital; it also analyzes correlations among outcomes and conduct correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis to determine relationships among these factors. The participants had moderate to high levels of emotional labor and burnout, and 23% had experienced medical errors within the last six months. Save for medical errors, all outcomes significantly and positively correlated with each other. These results can be used to improve the mental health outcomes of nurses working in the hospital and their consequences. Specifically, the job positions of nursing personnel may be a major consideration in such a strategy, and job-focused emotional labor and employee-focused emotional labor may be promising targets in ameliorating turnover intention and client-related burnout, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
13 pages, 367 KiB  
Article
An Instrument to Operationalize the Balance between Risks and Resources and Predict Job Burnout
by Neda Bebiroglu, Marie Bayot, Benjamin Brion, Léopold Denis, Thomas Pirsoul, Isabelle Roskam and Moïra Mikolajczak
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(17), 9416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179416 - 06 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2176
Abstract
The goal of the present paper was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to operationalize the balance between job demands and resources in order to predict job burnout. After generating the items, we first conducted a cross-sectional study (Study 1) based on [...] Read more.
The goal of the present paper was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to operationalize the balance between job demands and resources in order to predict job burnout. After generating the items, we first conducted a cross-sectional study (Study 1) based on 656 participants, which provided preliminary evidence for the validity of the balance. We then conducted a longitudinal study (Study 2) based on 882 participants to improve and validate the final version of the balance. In study 1, the (im)balance between risks and resources explained a high percentage of variance in job burnout (44%) and a significant percentage in job turnover intention (27%) as well as subjective health (12%). In study 2, results indicated that a change in the balance produced significant change in job burnout scores over time. In addition, balance scores positively predicted positive outcomes (i.e., overall job satisfaction and subjective health) and negatively predicted negative outcomes (i.e., job turnover intention, counterproductive behaviors at work, depression, alcohol use, sleep disorders and somatic complaints). Findings support the usefulness of the Balance for clinicians, companies and researchers interested in assessing job demands and resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
14 pages, 384 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and Job Satisfaction in Music Therapists in Spain: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Study
by Manuel Sequera-Martín, María Isabel Ramos-Fuentes, Elisa María Garrido-Ardila, Carmen Sánchez-Sánchez, Antonia de la Torre-Risquez and Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(17), 9108; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179108 - 29 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2653
Abstract
Background: Burnout syndrome and job satisfaction are topics of increasing interest due to their relevance in people’s health and well-being. Besides, they are considered very relevant in the fields of social and health care studies. Objective: The objective of this study was to [...] Read more.
Background: Burnout syndrome and job satisfaction are topics of increasing interest due to their relevance in people’s health and well-being. Besides, they are considered very relevant in the fields of social and health care studies. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyse the professional profile of music therapists in Spain and the prevalence of burnout syndrome and job satisfaction among them. Methods: This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out using an ad-hoc online questionnaire, the Maslach Scale and the general satisfaction scale on a sample of employed Spanish music therapists with more than two years of working experience in Spain. Results: Eighty questionnaires were analysed. The majority of the participants were between 30–39 years old (38.8%) and were women (85%). They combined their profession with other occupations (76.3%), mostly in care roles with a fix term contract and were self-employed (40%). The prevalence of burnout syndrome was 3.8% (p < 0.001) and the predisposition or tendency to develop this condition was over 57.5% (p < 0.001). The highest levels of burnout syndrome were found in professionals with trainee contracts (p = 0.001), in those who were providing training (p = 0.021), who attended 6 to 10 patients per week (p = 0.001), who were usually working with a therapist colleague (p = 0.046) and those who did not take prescribed psychotropic drugs (p = 0.034). The highest level of job satisfaction was observed in music therapists working in the field of disability (p = 0.010) and mental health (p = 0.022) and with seniority in their job position. The lowest level of job satisfaction was seen in music therapists with trainee contracts (p = 0.041), with less working hours per week (p = 0.016), working in the field of education (p = 0.006) and in those who did not feel valued by their colleagues (p < 0.001) or by the director of the centre where they worked (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, Spanish music therapists show a low prevalence of burnout syndrome but a moderate-high predisposition to develop it. Music therapists with burnout syndrome are those who work longer hours and perform their job in palliative care setting. In general, music therapists have a high level of both intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction. The lowest level of job satisfaction was found in music therapists with trainee contracts and the highest in music therapists with senior positions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
13 pages, 4071 KiB  
Article
Psychosocial Burden and Strains of Pedagogues—Using the Job Demands-Resources Theory to Predict Burnout, Job Satisfaction, General State of Health, and Life Satisfaction
by Marie Drüge, Sandra Schladitz, Markus Antonius Wirtz and Karin Schleider
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7921; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157921 - 27 Jul 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2813
Abstract
The current study examines the Job Demands-Resources theory among pedagogical professionals. A total of 466 pedagogues (n = 227 teachers; n = 239 social workers) completed the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire online. After testing the questionnaire structure using confirmatory factor analysis, a JD-R-based [...] Read more.
The current study examines the Job Demands-Resources theory among pedagogical professionals. A total of 466 pedagogues (n = 227 teachers; n = 239 social workers) completed the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire online. After testing the questionnaire structure using confirmatory factor analysis, a JD-R-based prediction model to predict effects of strains on the outcome constructs of burnout, job satisfaction, general state of health, and life satisfaction was estimated. The results confirm the questionnaire structure (RMSEA= 0.038; CFI = 0.94) as well as the fit of the prediction model (RMSEA = 0.039; CFI = 0.93). The outcome constructs could be predicted by emotional demands, work–privacy conflict, role conflicts, influence at work, scope for decision making, and opportunities for development (0.41 ≤ R² ≤ 0.57). Especially for life satisfaction, a moderator analysis proved the differences between teachers and social workers in the structure of the prediction model. For teachers, quantitative demands and work–privacy conflict are predictive, and for social workers, role conflicts and burnout are predictive. The study offers starting points for job-related measures of prevention and intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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11 pages, 848 KiB  
Article
Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Mental Health in Nurses from Huelva: A Cross-Cutting Study during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
by Francisco-Javier Gago-Valiente, María-Isabel Mendoza-Sierra, Emilia Moreno-Sánchez, Félix Arbinaga and Adrián Segura-Camacho
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7860; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157860 - 25 Jul 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4676
Abstract
Currently, healthcare professionals are particularly vulnerable to the impact of the SARS-CoV-2pandemic since they directly deal with patients suffering from this disease and are in the first line of fire, which increases their risk of contagion. This research examines the prevalence of emotional [...] Read more.
Currently, healthcare professionals are particularly vulnerable to the impact of the SARS-CoV-2pandemic since they directly deal with patients suffering from this disease and are in the first line of fire, which increases their risk of contagion. This research examines the prevalence of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and possible non-psychotic psychiatric disorders in 48 male and 270 female nursing professionals of Huelva during the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we analyzed the relationship between these dependent variables and considered various sociodemographic variables. The nursing staff of public hospitals in Huelva who have had contact with cases of SARS-CoV-2 in their work environment showed a poorer state of mental health than that of others of this same professional category who have not had contact with this type of situation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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10 pages, 374 KiB  
Article
Burnout, Compassion Fatigue and Psychological Flexibility among Geriatric Nurses: A Multicenter Study in Spain
by Carmen Sarabia-Cobo, Victoria Pérez, Pablo de Lorena, Ángela Fernández-Rodríguez, José Rafael González-López and Julia González-Vaca
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(14), 7560; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147560 - 15 Jul 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4956
Abstract
Nurses working at nursing homes are one of the most vulnerable populations for suffering burnout and compassion fatigue. In Spain, the concept of compassion fatigue and psychological flexibility related to stress in geriatric nurses has not been fully explored until now. It is [...] Read more.
Nurses working at nursing homes are one of the most vulnerable populations for suffering burnout and compassion fatigue. In Spain, the concept of compassion fatigue and psychological flexibility related to stress in geriatric nurses has not been fully explored until now. It is important to analyze their situation in order to design robust coping and management strategies. The aim was to analyze the relationship between burnout, compassion fatigue and psychological flexibility in geriatric nurses in Spain. Participants included 291 nurses from 97 centers in 51 cities across Spain. Psychological flexibility (AAQ-II), burnout (MBI) and compassion fatigue (ProQOL) were evaluated. Responses were recievced from 281 nurses (91% women), with an average of 7.6 years of work experience. The MBI results were average (26.71), and the ProQOL scores were average for compassion fatigue (40.2%) and high for compassion satisfaction (70.3%), whereas for AAQ-II, the mean score was 37.34 (SD 4.21). The correlation was significant and negative for flexibility, burnout and compassion fatigue, and positive for compassion satisfaction. The ANOVA indicated a significant association between all variables (p < 0.05). We can conclude that geriatric nurses suffer from medium levels of burnout and compassion fatigue, together with high levels of psychological flexibility, which appears to act as a stress reliever, supporting compassion satisfaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
14 pages, 992 KiB  
Article
Linking Self- and Other-Focused Emotion Regulation Abilities and Occupational Commitment among Pre-Service Teachers: Testing the Mediating Role of Study Engagement
by Sergio Mérida-López, Natalio Extremera and Maria José Chambel
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(10), 5434; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105434 - 19 May 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2619
Abstract
This investigation aimed to explore the mediator role of study engagement (i.e., study vigor and dedication) in the association between self- and other-focused emotion regulation abilities and occupational commitment in a sample of pre-service teachers. The sample was comprised of 249 students (65.5% [...] Read more.
This investigation aimed to explore the mediator role of study engagement (i.e., study vigor and dedication) in the association between self- and other-focused emotion regulation abilities and occupational commitment in a sample of pre-service teachers. The sample was comprised of 249 students (65.5% female; Mage = 27 years) of a master’s degree in teacher training for secondary education. Results showed the relationship between self-focused emotion regulation ability and occupational commitment to be fully mediated by levels of vigor. No significant results were found regarding a mediator model involving other-focused emotion regulation as predictor. Although these findings warrant prospective replication, they provide evidence that development of self-focused emotion regulation skills (rather than other-focused skills) may facilitate occupational commitment among beginning teachers through desirable states that facilitate energy and reduce the likelihood of fatigue at work. These results are discussed in terms of their practical implications for developing interventions to improve pre-service teachers’ well-being and commitment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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13 pages, 343 KiB  
Article
Multiple Physical Symptoms Are Useful to Identify High Risk Individuals for Burnout: A Study on Faculties and Hospital Workers in Japan
by Yuki Chatani, Kyoko Nomura, Haruko Hiraike, Akiko Tsuchiya and Hiroko Okinaga
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(6), 3246; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063246 - 21 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2558
Abstract
Healthcare workers have a high risk of burnout. This study aimed to investigate if the numbers of physical symptoms are associated with burnout among healthcare workers. We conducted a cross-sectional survey at a large university in Tokyo, Japan, in 2016. Participants were 1080: [...] Read more.
Healthcare workers have a high risk of burnout. This study aimed to investigate if the numbers of physical symptoms are associated with burnout among healthcare workers. We conducted a cross-sectional survey at a large university in Tokyo, Japan, in 2016. Participants were 1080: 525 faculties and 555 hospital workers. We investigated 16 physical symptoms perceived more than once per week and examined the association between the number of physical symptoms and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI); work-related (WBO), personal (PBO), and client-related (CBO) burnout. All CBI scores were higher among hospital workers than among faculties: WBO (43 vs. 29), PBO (50 vs. 33), CBO (33 vs. 29). Moreover, the higher the number of physical symptoms perceived, the higher the degree of burnout scores became (trend p-values < 0.001), except for CBO among faculties. Job strain (all except for CBO among hospital workers) and work–family conflict were associated with an increased risk of burnout. Being married (WBO and CBO among faculties), having a child (except for PBO and CBO among faculties), and job support (faculty and hospital workers with WBO and faculties with PBO) were associated with a decreased risk of burnout. Multiple physical symptoms might be useful for identifying high risk individuals for burnout. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
13 pages, 369 KiB  
Article
The Influencing Factors of Gender Differences on Mental Burdens in Young Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapist
by Su-Jin Lee, Sang In Jung, Myung-Gwan Kim, Eunhee Park, Ae-Ryoung Kim, Chul Hyun Kim, Jong-Moon Hwang and Tae-Du Jung
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(6), 2858; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062858 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3373
Abstract
Background: Gender differences in personal discrimination experience, burnout, and job stress among physiotherapists and occupational therapists are considered as associated factors of job loss, poor job quality, high turnover, and economic losses due to the outflow of medical personnel. Thus, the purpose of [...] Read more.
Background: Gender differences in personal discrimination experience, burnout, and job stress among physiotherapists and occupational therapists are considered as associated factors of job loss, poor job quality, high turnover, and economic losses due to the outflow of medical personnel. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyze the level of burnout, personal discrimination experience, and job stress according to gender differences for young physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Furthermore, we used regression analyses to determine the contribution of gender differences in personal discrimination experience and job stress to self-reported burnout, considering gender and two age groups (younger than 30 years old vs. 30 years old and over). Methods: A total of 325 professional physiotherapists and occupational therapists were part of this study (n = 325; male n = 131; female n = 194. Age: 20–29 years old, n = 178; ≥30 years old, n = 147). Data were collected using a questionnaire including our three study variables (scales: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), a modified version of the gender section of the Medical School Graduation Questionnaire from the Association of American Medical Colleges; and the Korean version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ)). Further, data on socio-demographic factors, job-related factors, health-related factors, and subjective job satisfaction were also collected. Results: There were significant positive correlations between job stress and gender differences in personal discrimination experience and job stress and burnout in women 30 years old and over. Personal experience of gender discrimination (β = 0.179, p = 0.015) and job stress (β = 0.162, p = 0.028) explained a significant 42.4% of the variance in burnout in the case of younger female participants (20–29 years old). However, this model did not explain a significant amount of the variance in burnout in the case of younger male participants (R2 = 0.156, p = 0.072). Regarding participants aged 30 years and over, our results showed that only job stress (but no personal experience of gender discrimination) was a relevant predictor for both males (β = 0.471, p < 0.001) and females (β = 0.373, p = 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, female therapists showed higher levels of burnout than male therapists. In particular, personal discrimination experience and job stress significantly contributed to burnout in younger female therapists while job stress was the most relevant predictor variable of burnout for both males (under 30 years old and 30 years old and over) and females in their thirties and beyond. For young female physiotherapists and occupational therapists, safe working environments should be created to reduce work-related mental burdens. It is also necessary to consider policies and regulations that can prevent job stress for therapists and measures that can positively resolve the unavoidable job stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
14 pages, 394 KiB  
Article
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro: Can a Risk Profile Be Identified?
by Fernanda Dias Campos, Maria José Chambel, Sílvia Lopes and Paulo C. Dias
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(5), 2594; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052594 - 05 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2445
Abstract
Background: Significant exposure to critical incidents characteristic of military police work has a potentially traumatic effect and multiple consequences for the mental health of these professionals, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This study aims to investigate the occurrence of PTSD in [...] Read more.
Background: Significant exposure to critical incidents characteristic of military police work has a potentially traumatic effect and multiple consequences for the mental health of these professionals, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This study aims to investigate the occurrence of PTSD in this occupational group and its correlations with socio-demographic and occupational variables. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of Rio de Janeiro’s Military Police officers (n = 3.577). Data was collected from self-reported questionnaires applied in an institutional health program. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist—Civilian version was used to assess PTSD. Results: Rates of 16.9% for full PTSD and 26.7% for partial PTSD were found. Based on logistic regression analysis, female officers and police officers in lower ranks of the military hierarchy and performing administrative duties were found to be at most risk of developing PTSD. Conclusions: These results suggest the need to further understand the predictive organizational and individual variables of PTSD correlated with the increased vulnerability of professionals in order to contribute to institutional policies for the prevention and rehabilitation of these cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

27 pages, 6744 KiB  
Review
Burnout: A Review of Theory and Measurement
by Sergio Edú-Valsania, Ana Laguía and Juan A. Moriano
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1780; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031780 - 04 Feb 2022
Cited by 112 | Viewed by 53979
Abstract
A growing body of empirical evidence shows that occupational health is now more relevant than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This review focuses on burnout, an occupational phenomenon that results from chronic stress in the workplace. After analyzing how burnout occurs and [...] Read more.
A growing body of empirical evidence shows that occupational health is now more relevant than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This review focuses on burnout, an occupational phenomenon that results from chronic stress in the workplace. After analyzing how burnout occurs and its different dimensions, the following aspects are discussed: (1) Description of the factors that can trigger burnout and the individual factors that have been proposed to modulate it, (2) identification of the effects that burnout generates at both individual and organizational levels, (3) presentation of the main actions that can be used to prevent and/or reduce burnout, and (4) recapitulation of the main tools that have been developed so far to measure burnout, both from a generic perspective or applied to specific occupations. Furthermore, this review summarizes the main contributions of the papers that comprise the Special Issue on “Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout”, which represent an advance in the theoretical and practical understanding of burnout. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

20 pages, 482 KiB  
Systematic Review
Measurement Methods of Fatigue, Sleepiness, and Sleep Behaviour Aboard Ships: A Systematic Review
by Fiona Kerkamm, Dorothee Dengler, Matthias Eichler, Danuta Materzok-Köppen, Lukas Belz, Felix Alexander Neumann, Birgit Christiane Zyriax, Volker Harth and Marcus Oldenburg
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010120 - 23 Dec 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3832
Abstract
Since seafarers are known to be exposed to numerous job-related stress factors that can cause fatigue, sleepiness, and disturbed sleep behaviour, the aim of this review was to provide an overview of the subjective and objective measurement methods of these strains. Using a [...] Read more.
Since seafarers are known to be exposed to numerous job-related stress factors that can cause fatigue, sleepiness, and disturbed sleep behaviour, the aim of this review was to provide an overview of the subjective and objective measurement methods of these strains. Using a systematic review, 166 studies were identified within the period of January 2010 to December 2020 using the PubMed database. Of the 21 studies selected, 13 used both subjective and objective measurement methods. Six studies used only subjective and two studies only objective methods. For subjective assessment, 12 different questionnaires could be identified as well as activity and sleeping logs. Actigraphy and reaction time tests (RTT) were the most common objective methods. In single cases, electrooculography (EOG), pupillometry and ambulatory polysomnography (PSG) were used. Measurement-related limitations due to vessel-related impacts were less often reported than expected. No restrictions of daily routines on board were described, and only single-measurement disturbances due to ship movements were mentioned. The present literature review reveals that there are various routines to measure fatigue, sleepiness, and sleep behaviour on board. A combination of subjective and objective methods often appears to be beneficial. The frequent use of actigraphy and RTT on board suggests good feasibility and reliable measurements with these methods. The use of ambulatory PSG in maritime-like contexts suggests that this method would also be feasible on board. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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11 pages, 551 KiB  
Study Protocol
Protocol of the Study on Emergency Health Care Workers’ Responses Evaluated by Karasek Questionnaire: The SEEK-Study Protocol
by Jean-Baptiste Bouillon-Minois, Marion Trousselard, Bruno Pereira, Jeannot Schmidt, Maelys Clinchamps, David Thivel, Ukadike Chris Ugbolue, Farès Moustafa, Céline Occelli, Guillaume Vallet and Frédéric Dutheil
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(8), 4068; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084068 - 12 Apr 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2675
Abstract
Background: Stress is a significant public health concern that can be self-evaluated using the job control demands model from Karasek. Emergency health care workers are particularly exposed to stress because of the intrinsic characteristics associated with the job (i.e., life-threatening emergencies, overcrowding, lack [...] Read more.
Background: Stress is a significant public health concern that can be self-evaluated using the job control demands model from Karasek. Emergency health care workers are particularly exposed to stress because of the intrinsic characteristics associated with the job (i.e., life-threatening emergencies, overcrowding, lack of bed spaces). However, these attributes have never been studied using the Karasek model. Methods: An observational, prospective, multicentric study in French Emergency Departments will be conducted using a cohort of emergency health care workers. Four questionnaires before a control day and after a nightshift will be assessed every 5 years in the same emergency departments. Also, the Karasek questionnaire, a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory scale, the Hospital Anxiety, Depression Scale, and a food intake questionnaire will be evaluated. Salivary biomarkers (cortisol, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme) will be collected from every emergency health care worker who consents to participating in the study. Conclusion: This study will provide a point of care for the emergency health care workers’ stress situation every 5 years. Ethics: This protocol was registered in Clinical Trials under the identification NCT02401607 after the French Ethics Committee’s approval. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress and Health: Psychological Burden and Burnout)
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