Strain factors, overcommitment und burnout risk among bank employees in relation to age Objective: Trends in the working world, financial crises and growing competitive pressure are influencing factors leading to an increase in psychological strain among bank employees. The aim of the study was to analyse the correlations between job-related strain factors and perception of the latter as well as the risk of burnout among bank employees, with overcommitment (OC) as a control variable. Method: In this study, 90 employees (mean age 43.2 ± 9.4 years) working in a regional bank completed questionnaires assessing strain factors, individual stress perception, OC and burnout risk. Results: The main job-related strain factors identified among bank employees were ‘increased data maintenance’, ‘increased PC knowledge requirements’, ‘poor communication structures’, ‘hierarchical pressure to perform’ and ‘pressure to fulfil targets’. One fifth of the overall collective showed an effort-reward imbalance. The subjective perception of older bank employees indicated more pressure to perform concurrent with a lower level of appreciation. Approximately one tenth of the subjects had a critical tendency towards OC, with age not really a significant factor here. The burnout risk among both age groups was comparatively small (2%). There was evidence of weak correlations between some stress factors and burnout risk. The correlations had some influence on OC, whereas age did not. Conclusions: A framework of stress-reducing and coping strategies must be established in order to safeguard the long-term mental health of bank employees. The early detection and prevention of burnout risk, the promotion of an effort-reward balance and the setting of achievable goals are only some of the key factors. It is also advisable to optimise collaboration between occupational health physicians, management and bank employees in order to deal with the problem and improve mental health. Keywords: bank-specific strain factors – effort-reward-imbalance – overcommitment – burnout risk
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.