Burnout among nurses working in social welfare centers for the disabled

Abstract

BackgroundIn the healthcare sector, we often come across the burnout syndrome. It is an occupational syndrome which causes, physical and emotional exhaustion. More information is needed on the dangers of burnout and how often it occurs in healthcare. The purpose of this study was to investigate burnout and factors associated with the syndrome among nurses working with people that are mentally challenged.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted, among 180 nurses working in public health centers for the disabled in multiple regions of Greece. A self-administered questionnaire with questions about socio-demographic and work-related characteristics was used, as well as the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) for burnout assessment. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed.ResultsThe burnout dimensions of emotional exhaustion (Mean = 31.36) and depersonalization (Mean = 11.27) were at high levels while personal accomplishment was at low levels (Mean = 44.02). Female nurses had a higher personal accomplishment score (Mean = 44.82, p = 0.047) than men (Mean = 42.10, p = 0.047). Marital status, daily routine and relationships with supervisors were significantly related with emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment and professional experience with higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Reason for professional selection was an independent predictor for depersonalization and personal accomplishment, with those that have selected the nursing profession randomly or because of the fear of unemployment having higher scores. Moderate relationships with colleagues was an independent predictor for all burnout dimensions.ConclusionsNurses working in services for people with intellectual disabilities in Greece show increased burnout levels. Burnout can be prevented by offering more opportunities for professional advancement and education, new ways to provide supervisor support, provide incentives for nurses to initiate or participate in innovative programs. Specific training on conflict resolution, collaboration, reinforcement and stress coping techniques must be implemented.

Burnout among nurses and teachers in Jordan: a comparative study

“…In general, previous studies showed that male nurses are more likely to experience depersonalization than female nurses, while female nurses are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion than male nurses. Our results are in line with the study of Lahana et al [25], but not with the study of Lasebikan & Oyetunde [26], which found that female nurses suffer from burnout more than male nurses. …”

“…This result is in agreement with a study by Palfi et al [30]. However, it contradicts the studies by Sabbah et al [29] and Lahana et al [25], which found that nurses with more work experience are more prone to burnout than those with less experience, and other studies which indicated higher levels of burnout among nurses with less experience [31]. Table 7 shows that there is no statistically significant difference in the level of burnout in nurses based on their education level (F = 1.59, P = 0.21).…”

Prevalencia del Síndrome de Burnout en profesionales de enfermería de la Orinoquia colombiana, 2016

“…Condiciones del ambiente hospitalario y las características de la funciones de enfermería han hecho que esta sea catalogada como una profesión de riesgo y mayor prevalencia para el desarrollo del síndrome de Burnout (5,(17)(18)(19) . En Colombia se han desarrollado investigaciones (en ciudades especificas), que se han orientado a describir la prevalencia del síndrome o sus factores asociados, se han realizado principalmente en docentes (20,21) y en profesionales de la salud (14,15,(22)(23)(24)(25) .…”

“…La diferencia entre los que laboran en el área de atención hospitalaria, frente a los que trabajan en un área diferente, se explica por las características propias del trabajo hospitalario de enfermería: una mayor carga laboral (número de pacientes y tiempo de trabajo) (19,24,(26)(27)(28) , carga emocional (exposición al dolor, la muerte) junto con la responsabilidad sobre el bienestar del paciente (5,19) y la rutina diaria (18,19) . La menor prevalencia del síndrome en enfermeros que laboran en áreas no hospitalarias, también fue encontrada en un estudio realizado en Suiza, donde asocian este hallazgo a la autonomía laboral que se presenta en esta área (29) .…”

“…El estado civil predominante es ser solteros, seguido por estar casado, igual que lo encontrado en Ibagué (30) , pero en Bogotá (31) , Barranquilla (23) y Cartagena (24) esta condición es minoritaria, aunque el estudio realizado en la Orinoquia no encontró relación de la variable estado civil con la ocurrencia del síndrome, sin embargo, este ha sido asociado en un estudio realizado en Grecia (18) . El 58% de los enfermeros tenían al menos un hijo, cuando se exploró la razón de prevalencia para esta variable no se encontró asociación con la presencia del síndrome de Burnout, caso contrario a lo encontrado en los estudios realizados en Bogotá (31) , Cartagena (24) e Ibagué (30) donde encontraron relación entre tener hijos y la prevalencia del síndrome de Burnout.…”