Called an "occupational phenomenon" by the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout has been studied since the 1970s, initially by Freudenberger (1974) and Maslach (1996) in the United States. Described as resulting from chronic work-induced stress that has not been successfully managed, burnout is characterized by three dimensions:
1. Feeling of exhaustion or emotional exhaustion;
2. Work-related feelings of negativism or cynicism; and
3. Reduced professional effectiveness.
Some symptoms of occupational burnout can be:
· High neglection of personal needs, such as food and rest
· Mental and physical exhaustion and fatigue
· Physical symptoms, such as stomach pain, intestinal dysregulation, bruxism
· Willingness to give up the job
· Increased use of escapism activities, such as alcohol and drug consumption, excessive hours in front of TV
· Obsession with work-related problems
· Feelings of pessimism and exacerbated cynicism
· Feelings of internal emptiness
And what is a potential cause for Burnout? There are several different theories. Currently, the most accepted one is the job demand-resources theory. According to it, strain is a response to imbalance between demands on the individual and the resources he or she has to deal with those demands, along with poor self-regulation strategies:
1. High job demands. Those are the aspects of the job, such as social, psychical, psychological activities that require skills and efforts, hence imposing a cost. Basically, your to do list.
2. Resources to deal with the demands: here is the actual skills, efforts and tools, one need to do the work. It is about whether you have the tools you need to deal with what you have on your plate. If you work for a company, for example, this organization gives you the support you need to perform your duties (eg efficient computers, ergonomic chairs and tables, organized processes, decent salary…)? And your personal resources (the technical, behavioural, physical support and knowledge to do your job).
3. Self-regulation: this factor concerns our ability to know how to set limits and say no to things we can't, as well as recognize our personal needs, including physiological ones (prioritization of rest, food, going to the bathroom, for example).
To take care of yourself, and lessen the negative effects of burnout, or prevent it, it is crucial to look at the 3 factors integrated. Having professionals help, such as from psychologists, therapists and psychiatrists, it is also a good strategy to recognize the phenomenon properly, in order to understand the symptoms and introduce suitable treatment.
Bibliography
Demerouti, E., Bakker, A.B., Nachreiner, F., & Schaufeli, W.B. (2001). The job demands-resources model of burnout. J Appl Psychol, 86 (3), 499 –512. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.3.499
Edú-Valsania, S., Laguía, A., & Moriano, J. A. (2022). Burnout: A Review of Theory and Measurement. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(3), 1780. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031780
Freudenberger, H.J.(1974). Staff burn-out. J. Soc. Issues, 30, 159–165.
Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W.B., & Leiter, M.P. (2001).Job burnout. Ann Rev Psychol. 52(1), 397–422. https://doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
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