Perceived life stress and the burnout syndrome in group of Polish psychiatrists

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the paper was to analyse the prevalence of the occupational burnout syndrome (OBS) amongst physicians specialising in psychiatry and identification of factors which may at one hand facilitate the development of job burnout or at the other, protect against it. The hypothesis on the coexistence of OBS and overall high level of stress was verified. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a group of 57 psychiatry specialists: 41 females and 16 males, aged from 27 to 86 years. The study participants were asked to complete three online questionnaires: a proprietary (sociodemographic) questionnaire, Link Burnout Questionnaire, (LBQ) and Experienced Stress Scale (PSS-10). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The average result of the measurement of perceived stress in the examined group was at a high level. Every second medical doctor declared a high degree of occupational burnout in each of the 4 aspects. Significant differences were found between psychiatrists with high and low levels of perceived stress. Psychiatrists experiencing high levels of perceived stress showed higher levels of OBS across all its dimensions. Moreover, physicians with low levels of stress have used their holiday allowance more frequently than those with high levels of stress. Whereas no statistically significant differences were found between perceived stress levels and: age, sex, marital status, number of years in the medical profession, number of years of work at the primary workplace, number of working hours per week, number of hours on duty per month, having a social media account, having a pet or taking antidepressants. In this paper the authors demonstrate that perceived stress of Polish psychiatrists is a strong factor contributing to the development of the OBS. The level of perceived life stress depends on mental features of a given person which determine resourcefulness and ability to cope with both occupational and life stressors. Thus, prophylaxis should target positive changes in work environment as well as psychological profiles of health care professionals. INTRODUCTION: The aim of the paper was to analyse the prevalence of the occupational burnout syndrome (OBS) amongst physicians specialising in psychiatry and identification of factors which may at one hand facilitate the development of job burnout or at the other, protect against it. The hypothesis on the coexistence of OBS and overall high level of stress was verified. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a group of 57 psychiatry specialists: 41 females and 16 males, aged from 27 to 86 years. The study participants were asked to complete three online questionnaires: a proprietary (sociodemographic) questionnaire, Link Burnout Questionnaire, (LBQ) and Experienced Stress Scale (PSS-10). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The average result of the measurement of perceived stress in the examined group was at a high level. Every second medical doctor declared a high degree of occupational burnout in each of the 4 aspects. Significant differences were found between psychiatrists with high and low levels of perceived stress. Psychiatrists experiencing high levels of perceived stress showed higher levels of OBS across all its dimensions. Moreover, physicians with low levels of stress have used their holiday allowance more frequently than those with high levels of stress. Whereas no statistically significant differences were found between perceived stress levels and: age, sex, marital status, number of years in the medical profession, number of years of work at the primary workplace, number of working hours per week, number of hours on duty per month, having a social media account, having a pet or taking antidepressants. In this paper the authors demonstrate that perceived stress of Polish psychiatrists is a strong factor contributing to the development of the OBS. The level of perceived life stress depends on mental features of a given person which determine resourcefulness and ability to cope with both occupational and life stressors. Thus, prophylaxis should target positive changes in work environment as well as psychological profiles of health care professionals