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Weng Y, Wu T, Wei Y, Chen L, Liu X, Cai K, Chen C. Unified and distinct cognitive control deficits in adolescents with cognitive disengagement syndrome and learning burnout. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1399122. [PMID: 39022757 PMCID: PMC11251943 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1399122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) is a psychological disorder characterized by daydreaming, mental fogginess, and slow thinking, while learning burnout (LB) is characterized by a passive and inattentive attitude toward learning. These two disorders are closely related but can be challenging to differentiate from one another. The present study aimed to identify shared and distinct cognitive control deficits between CDS and LB. Methods We recruited 136 adolescents (aged 14 to 17 years) from an initial screening of CDS and LB (N = 476) and divided them into four groups: CDS, LB, CDS + LB, and typically developing control. After a second screening, 129 adolescents completed two tasks to assess their attentional networks and cognitive control capacity (CCC). Results Adolescents with high CDS symptoms (both CDS group and CDS+LB group) exhibited impaired disengaging effect of attention and lower CCC, indicating deficits in orienting attention and the upper limit of information processing for cognitive control specifically. Furthermore, support vector machine modeling identified CCC as the most significant parameter differentiating the CDS and LB groups. Discussion Our findings suggest that while adolescents with high CDS and high LB symptoms have similar outward manifestations in the adolescent's school life, deficits in attention and cognitive control, particularly in the CCC, may distinguish between the two groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Weng
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Beijing Key Lab of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfang Wei
- Shantou Special Economic Zone Linbaixin Middle School, Swatow, China
| | - Ling Chen
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiqin Liu
- School of Foreign Languages, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kexin Cai
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Caiqi Chen
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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Nouraeinejad A. Visuospatial abilities can be affected in healthcare workers due to job burnout. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 274:471-472. [PMID: 36864358 PMCID: PMC9980863 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01577-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Nouraeinejad
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (UCL), London, UK.
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Saintila J, Soriano-Moreno AN, Ramos-Vera C, Oblitas-Guerrero SM, Calizaya-Milla YE. Association between sleep duration and burnout in healthcare professionals: a cross-sectional survey. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1268164. [PMID: 38269387 PMCID: PMC10806404 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1268164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Short sleep duration in healthcare professionals is a recurring concern among researchers. On the other hand, the prevalence of burnout in this population group is experiencing exponential growth. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between sleep duration and burnout in healthcare professionals. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected by applying a non-probabilistic convenience sampling, considering a sample of 300 healthcare professionals from the public sector in Peru. The association between variables was explored using multivariate logistic regression. Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results The results of the analysis in the crude models revealed that both men and women who slept < 7 h during workdays and days off were 8.33 (95% CI = 2.68-13.99, p = 0.004) and 17.18 (95% CI = 10.50-23.87, p < 0.001) times more likely to have burnout compared to those who reported ≥7 h, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables, the association remained statistically significant. Conclusion The findings of this study underscore the critical importance of sleep duration in the incidence of burnout among healthcare professionals. In the context of the global challenges to the mental and physical health of these professionals, our results highlight the urgent need to implement strategies at the organizational and individual level. This includes promoting a better work-life balance, and effective stress management and improved sleep quality.
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Petitta L, Ghezzi V. Remote, Disconnected, or Detached? Examining the Effects of Psychological Disconnectedness and Cynicism on Employee Performance, Wellbeing, and Work-Family Interface. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6318. [PMID: 37444165 PMCID: PMC10342056 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20136318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations worldwide have implemented remote working arrangements that have blurred the work-family boundaries and brought to the forefront employees' sense of disconnectedness from their workplace (i.e., organizational disconnectedness) as a concern for multiple organizational outcomes. Cynicism, a job burnout subdimension, refers to a negative and excessively detached response to relational overload at work. While both workplace disconnectedness and cynicism involve a toxic sense of detachment, they refer to different psychological mechanisms. The present study aims to examine how employee workplace disconnectedness differs from their cynicism, and how both constructs differentially exert their detrimental effects on employee performance, work-family interface, and wellbeing. Using anonymous survey data collected online in 2021 and 2022 from a sample of in-person and flexible workers nested within organizations, conceptual distinctiveness between workplace disconnectedness and cynicism was supported. Measurement invariance across the two groups was supported, and subsequent structural invariance analyses suggested a similar pattern of results for flexible and in-person workers. Specifically, compared to disconnectedness, cynicism exerted higher negative effects on mental health and higher positive effects on cognitive failures and family-to-work conflict. Conversely, compared to cynicism, disconnectedness exerted higher negative effects on performance and work-to-family conflict. That is, feeling indifferent toward others particularly affects mental health and errors, while feeling excluded especially hampers productivity and family life. Theoretical and practical (e.g., inclusive leadership, support groups) implications of these results are discussed in light of the globally rising rates of hybrid work arrangements and related costs for employee wellbeing and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Petitta
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy;
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Steffey MA, Griffon DJ, Risselada M, Buote NJ, Scharf VF, Zamprogno H, Winter AL. A narrative review of the physiology and health effects of burnout associated with veterinarian-pertinent occupational stressors. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1184525. [PMID: 37465277 PMCID: PMC10351608 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1184525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic workplace stress and burnout are serious problems in veterinary medicine. Although not classified as a medical condition, burnout can affect sleep patterns and contributes to chronic low grade systemic inflammation, autonomic imbalance, hormonal imbalances and immunodeficiencies, thereby increasing the risks of physical and psychological ill health in affected individuals. Cultural misconceptions in the profession often lead to perceptions of burnout as a personal failure, ideas that healthcare professionals are somehow at lower risk for suffering, and beliefs that affected individuals can or should somehow heal themselves. However, these concepts are antiquated, harmful and incorrect, preventing the design of appropriate solutions for this serious and growing challenge to the veterinary profession. Veterinarians must first correctly identify the nature of the problem and understand its causes and impacts before rational solutions can be implemented. In this first part of two companion reviews, burnout will be defined, pathophysiology discussed, and healthcare and veterinary-relevant occupational stressors that lead to burnout identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele A. Steffey
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Dominique J. Griffon
- Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Marije Risselada
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West-Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Nicole J. Buote
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Valery F. Scharf
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
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Chapleau RR. Genome-wide associations, polygenic risk, and Mendelian randomization reveal limited interactions between John Henryism and cynicism. World J Med Genet 2023; 11:8-20. [DOI: 10.5496/wjmg.v11.i2.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND John Henryism (JH) is a strategy for dealing with chronic psychological stress characterized by high levels of physical effort and work. Cynicism is a belief that people are motivated primarily by self-interest. High scores on the JH scale and cynicism measures correlate with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. High cynicism is also a hallmark of burnout syndrome, another known risk factor for heart disease.
AIM To evaluate possible interactions between JH and cynicism hoping to clarify risk factors of burnout.
METHODS We analyzed genetic and psychological data available from the Database of Genotypes and Phenotypes for genome-wide associations with these traits. We split the total available samples and used plink to perform the association studies on the discovery set (n = 1852, 80%) and tested for replication using the validation set (n = 465). We used scikit-learn to perform supervised machine learning for developing genetic risk algorithms.
RESULTS We identified 2, 727, and 204 genetic associations for scores on the JH, cynicism and cynical distrust (CD) scales, respectively. We also found 173 associations with high cynicism, 109 with high CD, but no associations with high JH. We also produced polygenic classifiers for high cynicism using machine learning with areas under the receiver operator characteristics curve greater than 0.7.
CONCLUSION We found significant genetic components to these traits but no evidence of an interaction. Therefore, while there may be a genetic risk, JH is not likely a burnout risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard R Chapleau
- Department of Genetics, NeuroStat Analytical Solutions, Great Falls, VA 22066, United States
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Androulakis GS, Georgiou DA, Lainidi O, Montgomery A, Schaufeli WB. The Greek Burnout Assessment Tool: Examining Its Adaptation and Validity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20105827. [PMID: 37239554 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20105827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Burnout is a significant challenge in the workplace. Its extent is global and its unfavourable consequences are diverse, affecting the individual, the organization, and society. The aim of the present study was to examine the adaptation and assess the validity of the Greek version of the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT). The adaptation process included the translation and back-translation of the BAT. Data were collected from 356 Greek employees from diverse sectors. Confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory were utilized to assess the validity of the Greek version of the BAT. According to the findings of the present research, the core symptoms scale and the secondary symptoms scale of BAT-23 and BAT-12 models demonstrated adequate structures for the analysis and measurement of burnout in the Greek context. Finally, the psychometric performance of the BAT-GR-12 compared to the BAT-GR-23 establishes it as a more optimum instrument for the assessment of burnout across Greek working adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- George S Androulakis
- Department of Business, Administration University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitra Ap Georgiou
- Department of Educational Sciences and Social Work, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Olga Lainidi
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
| | | | - Wilmar B Schaufeli
- Research Group Work Organizational and Personnel Psychology (WOPP), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Kulchar RJ, Haddad MB. Preventing burnout and substance use disorder among healthcare professionals through breathing exercises, emotion identification, and writing activities. JOURNAL OF INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION & PRACTICE 2022; 29:100570. [PMID: 36349226 PMCID: PMC9633656 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjep.2022.100570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The introduction of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional strain on healthcare workers, inducing immense levels of stress and workplace burnout. Health care professionals are acutely susceptible to COVID-19 exposure, ultimately leading to elevated levels of anxiety and mental illness. For example, dental professionals are at high risk due to their close work with the oral cavity. To provide temporary relief to the stress, some may turn toward substance use, especially if that individual has some form of mental illness. To curb the onset of burnout and its byproduct of substance use disorder, it is crucial to be equipped with proper tools and healthy habits that can counteract extreme levels of stress. In this article, a time-effective, 3-step method is introduced, with each activity proven to lessen the symptoms of burnout. When followed, an individual can navigate burnout's symptoms through a healthy mind and body approach. Additionally, resources to find resilience-building and mentorship programs are provided. Common substance use support groups and information regarding group meetings and contact information are listed.
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Changes in intrinsic functional brain connectivity related to occupational stress of firefighters. Psychiatry Res 2022; 314:114688. [PMID: 35777276 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Firefighters are exposed to physical and mental threats in the working environment that put them at risk for occupational stress and burnout. Stress responses can impact the functional interactions between brain regions involved in emotional and cognitive regulation. The objective of this study was to investigate brain functional connectivity (FC) related to occupational stress in firefighters. Male firefighters (n = 77) completed the Korean Occupational Stress Scale questionnaire on occupational stress and underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging. Seed-based FC analyses were conducted by setting core regions of the large-scale functional networks as seeds. Subsequent correlational analyses detected relationships between occupational stress scale scores and brain FC. The results showed that occupational stress was negatively correlated with FC between the central executive network (CEN)-related brain regions and seed regions of other networks. Additionally, occupational stress was negatively correlated with FC within the default mode network (DMN), but positively correlated with FC between the salience network (SN) and the DMN. Changes in FC in large-scale neural networks are likely involved in occupational stress responses. Taken together, these results suggest that proper management of occupational stress may help prevent the occurrence of clinical problems caused by changes in brain functional networks.
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HaGani N, Englard Hershler M, Ben Shlush E. The relationship between burnout, commuting crashes and drowsy driving among hospital health care workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:1357-1367. [PMID: 35318536 PMCID: PMC8939491 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01855-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Burnout and work satisfaction have been shown to be associated with risk of commuting crashes and drowsy driving. Although health care workers (HCWs) were found to have high burnout, no study has yet examined the relationship between burnout and commuting crashes in this occupational group. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between burnout, commuting crashes and drowsy driving among HCWs. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 291 HCWs in a tertiary hospital, using an online survey focusing on burnout subscales, work satisfaction, commuting crashes, and drowsy driving to and from work. RESULTS One third of the sample population reported commuting crashes that led to physical, mental, and quality-of-life harms in more than half of them. Burnout was not associated with commuting crashes; however, it was associated with increased drowsy driving. Nurses reported on more physical, emotional, and quality-of-life harms, and administrative staff reported on more physical harm. Low work satisfaction was significantly associated with higher severity of reported mental harm (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Burnout and commuting crashes are more common among physician and nurses, compared to other HCWs. Work satisfaction and sense of personal accomplishment can reduce the negative outcomes of commuting crashes and may contribute to recovery of HCWs after commuting crashes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta HaGani
- Department of Social Work, Rambam Health Care Campus, HaAliya HaShniya St 8, 3109601, Haifa, Israel.
| | | | - Eli Ben Shlush
- Department of Human Resources, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
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Khesroh E, Butt M, Kalantari A, Leslie DL, Bronson S, Rigby A, Aumiller B. The use of emotional intelligence skills in combating burnout among residency and fellowship program directors. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 22:127. [PMID: 35209880 PMCID: PMC8872639 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03187-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current rates of burnout among physicians are alarming when compared to nonphysician U.S. workers, and numerous interventions have been introduced to mitigate the issue. However, no interventions have specifically targeted the 30% burnout rate among physician program directors. The complex and demanding role of program directors necessitates building relationships, solving crises, securing jobs for residents and maintaining well-being of trainees. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of emotional intelligence (EQ) on burnout levels among program directors. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was administered from May 17 to June 30, 2021 to program directors and assistant/ associate program directors at an academic medical center in south-central Pennsylvania. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data. The survey included an open-ended question along with the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire- Short Form (TEIQue-SF), Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and demographic questions. All data were analyzed using SAS Version 9.4. RESULTS Of the 109 program directors and assistant/associate program directors invited in the survey, 34 (31.20%) responded. The findings indicate that there is a moderate inverse association between EQ and burnout, suggesting EQ as a protective factor against burnout. We also found that program directors who were considering leaving their position demonstrated higher levels of burnout compared to those who did not. Results from the open-ended question suggest that perceived lack of support, micromanagement, criticism, and extra duties with less payment were among the reasons program directors and associates were considering steeping down from their position. The results showed no association between EQ skills and years of practicing. CONCLUSIONS Burnout among program directors and assistant/associate program directors is not as alarming as rates of burnout among physicians-in-training. However, despite high level of EQ skills and low burnout level, nearly 43% of program directors were considering leaving their position. Nurturing EQ skills may be useful in improving retention and reducing turnover among medical leaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiman Khesroh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
| | - Melissa Butt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Annahieta Kalantari
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Douglas L Leslie
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Sarah Bronson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Andrea Rigby
- Department of Surgery - Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Betsy Aumiller
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
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Akl A, Mohiyaldeen I, Alshatti R, Alenezi O, Dougherty R, Al-Raihan A, Alotaibi S, Tadros N, Longenecker JC. The Prevalence of Burnout and Its Associated Factors Among Surgical Specialists in Kuwait Ministry of Health Hospitals. Front Public Health 2022; 10:679834. [PMID: 35174119 PMCID: PMC8841660 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.679834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Workplace burnout is a state of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization of others (DP), and low personal accomplishment (PA) owing to workplace stressors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among surgical specialists in Kuwait. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of burnout among 489 surgeons in practice at Kuwait Ministry of Health (MOH). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which defines burnout as having a high score of EE or DP, or a low score of PA; with severe burnout involving all. The associations between burnout or severe burnout with sociodemographic and occupational characteristics were assessed using multivariate binary logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders. Results Prevalence estimates for burnout and severe burnout were 76.9% (95% Confidence Interval = 72.9–80.7%) and 14.0% (11.0–17.5%), respectively. The prevalence estimates for high EE, high DP, and low PA scores were 44.7, 43.1, and 47.2%, respectively. The prevalence of burnout and severe burnout was highest among neurosurgeons. Burnout was lowest among otolaryngology surgeons and severe burnout was lowest among cardiothoracic surgeons. After adjustment, burnout was associated with younger age, lower income, and more on-calls per month. The four most common sources of stress included less family time, verbal assault, case overload, and highly complicated cases. Conclusion The prevalence of burnout among surgeons in Kuwait MOH hospitals is high. Occupational health programs should use these findings to design and implement interventions that can treat and prevent burnout in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Akl
- Kuwait Ministry of Health, Rotating Internship Program, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Idrees Mohiyaldeen
- Kuwait Ministry of Health, Rotating Internship Program, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Rashed Alshatti
- Kuwait Ministry of Health, Rotating Internship Program, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Omer Alenezi
- Kuwait Ministry of Health, Rotating Internship Program, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ryan Dougherty
- Kuwait Ministry of Health, Rotating Internship Program, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Abdullah Al-Raihan
- Kuwait Ministry of Health, Rotating Internship Program, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Salman Alotaibi
- Kuwait Ministry of Health, Rotating Internship Program, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Nardine Tadros
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Department of Quality and Accreditation, Kuwait Ministry of Health, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Joseph C. Longenecker
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- *Correspondence: Joseph C. Longenecker
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Koutsimani P, Montgomery A. Cognitive functioning in non-clinical burnout: Using cognitive tasks to disentangle the relationship in a three-wave longitudinal study. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:978566. [PMID: 36061283 PMCID: PMC9428402 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.978566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Burnout is often characterized by cognitive deficits and it has been associated with depression and anxiety. However, it is not clear whether cognitive impairment is a burnout consequence or employees with poor cognitive skills are more prone in developing burnout. Moreover, the exact nature of the association between burnout and depression, and burnout and anxiety is still unknown. Depression and anxiety are also related to cognitive impairments but their prospective associations are not fully understood. The aim of the present three-wave longitudinal study was to investigate the causality between cognitive functioning, burnout, depression, and anxiety among non-clinical burnout employees. The cause-effect associations of burnout with depression and anxiety were also explored. Perceived family support as a protective factor against cognitive decline, burnout, depression and anxiety was examined as well. A wide range of cognitive tasks tapping different cognitive domains were administered to employees of the general working population. Burnout, depression, anxiety, and perceived family support were assessed with self-reported questionnaires. Present results suggest that visuospatial functioning deficits are a burnout consequence and they indicate the role of automatic processing skills and executive functions in burnout onset. Additionally, current findings support that burnout is differentiated from depression and anxiety but it is reciprocally associated with the two psychological phenomena. Lastly, current results support the inclusion of perceived family support as an intervention to help individuals who suffer from mental health and cognitive difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Koutsimani
- Department of Educational and Social Policy, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anthony Montgomery
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Koutsimani P, Montgomery A. Burnout and Cognitive Functioning: Are We Underestimating the Role of Visuospatial Functions? Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:775606. [PMID: 35401261 PMCID: PMC8983930 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.775606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Job burnout is a psychological syndrome which results from chronic occupational stress and cognitive impairments are among its negative consequences. The demands of the COVID-19 pandemic have challenged the healthcare system increasing the risk of job burnout among healthcare professionals. The studies conducted so far have mainly focused on the effects of job burnout on executive functions. Visuospatial functions are a cognitive domain which plays an important role in healthcare workers' optimal performance. Healthcare workers are constantly relying on their visuospatial abilities in order to care for their patients as they are required to use techniques that involve manipulation of medical instruments, they need to have excellent hand-eye coordination and great perception of spatial anatomy, factors that can affect healthcare workers' performance is of significance and can put patient safety at risk. However, our understanding of how visuospatial functions are being affected in job burnout is limited. The scope of this mini-review is to examine the evidence concerning the relationship of job burnout with visuospatial functions. The sparsity of the relevant empirical evidence does not allow for definite conclusions. However, given the implications of diminished visuospatial abilities in patient safety we highlight the need for studies exploring the effects of job burnout on visuospatial functions. Limitations of studies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Koutsimani
- Department of Educational & Social Policy, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anthony Montgomery
- Department of Educational & Social Policy, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
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