The Research On Burnout

The Research On Burnout

When it comes to understanding burnout and how to prevent and heal from it there is a lot of advice out there. A simple Google search will provide you with a number of suggested tools, resources and support. What though does the research say? This article is going to take us on a journey of some of the best research that explores burnout and how it can be applied to your own life to prevent and overcome burnout. 

What Is Burnout? 

Burnout is a difficult concept to research and study as there are many different definitions and understandings of this psychological reaction to chronic stress. Burnout can be an ongoing chronic condition that can last years as it slowly develops over time. Burnout often manifests itself through symptoms of cynicism, exhaustion and reduced efficacy in work. There are many consequences associated with burnout including increased risk of physical illness and reduced overall mental health. It results in reduced productivity with many employees having to take sick and stress leave. 

Burnout is not recognized formally as a disorder although it has been recognized for some time. Some have discussed its connection to depression and whether or not it should be considered a district syndrome. Burnout used to only be connected to socially-oriented professions that involved helping clients/patients but now it is broadly applied to all occupational groups. Burnout may also present differently depending on the occupation. 

Is Burnout A Form Of Depression? 

Many have associated depression and burnout. Research though has found that although there is an overlap between burnout and depression, they are separate conditions. Burnout has been linked to workplace stress whereas depression is more linked to life stress. Research has found though that burnout can lead to the development of depression over time if left untreated. 

What Contributes To Burnout Development? 

Research by Arnold Bakker and Patricia Costa takes a closer look at burnout from the perspective of the worker. They look at the individual and situational factors that contribute to the burnout process over time. Situational factors include things like job demands and lack of job resources that are associated with physiological and psychological costs. Role stress, conflict and ambiguity along with workload, stressful events, and work pressure are all important factors to look at when understanding the causes of burnout. 

They also found in their review of research that employees who have high levels of burnout cope differently with their job demands which often increases the problems they are experiencing. Due to their lack of energy, they are unable to adequately deal with the daily job demands. They are unable to properly solve problems, lack focus and attention which uses even more energy and leads to higher levels of exhaustion. They also begin to lose more personal resources such as personal characteristics and energies. Over time employees with high levels of burnout also create more work demands as they make mistakes that need to be corrected which adds to their increased high job demands. 

They also found that burnout individuals do not get enough quality sleep compared to those who are not burnout which leads to further exhaustion. They also found that emotional regulation was lower in those who had a higher level of burnout. They also begin to view their daily demands are greater than they are. Their perception of the demand changes, this increases complaining and can create a negative work climate. 

They also found that burnout individuals fail to satisfy their basic psychological needs. Self-determination theory outlines that people need to meet three needs, autonomy, competence and relatedness to foster greater well-being and performance. When they are not being met there are greater frustrations, job strain and reduced performance. 

Arnold Bakker and Patricia Costa found in the research that employees experiencing burnout need support in changing the structural causes. This includes helping them access daily job resources, improve work engagement and daily job crafting. Job crafting allows the employees to harness meaning a work through three avenues which include exercising more control over tasks, determining the way tasks are perceived, and three determining which social contexts and relationships are fostered at work. Recovery activities are also important. These activities include social, physical and relaxing activities that help one recharge and recover from the work demands. 

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Effective Researched Burnout Interventions

Another research study by Kirsi Ahola, Salla Toppinen-Tanner and Johanna Sappanen reviewed the research that looked at the most effective interventions to alleviate burnout and support a return to work for employees who have suffered from burnout.

They found Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy CBT group programs helped to reduce levels of burnout over time. They also found CBT combined with Qigong a movement-based meditative practice that includes breathing, posture and mind focus to reduce symptoms of burnout.

They also found in one research study that meditative physical exercise was more effective in reducing emotional exhaustion and depersonalization than those who only completed a physical activity program. This points to the increased importance of using mindfulness and meditative practices to help prevent and overcome burnout.

Burnout Research Summary

Overall, the research on burnout is showing us that it is a complex psychological reaction to stress. It also has shed light on how burnout can slowly develop over time due to both individual and structural factors. Despite the prevalence of burnout there are also many interventions that have been proven to help one overcome it including CBT, Mindfulness and Meditation along with the development of Self-determination.

You can overcome burnout by yourself. Many people have done it. However, it is faster and easier to overcome burnout with professional assistance. If you want expert advice to heal from burnout quicker, then book a consultation call with our burnout coach and therapist here >> burnouttothriving.net/burnout