Burnout syndrome among health workers caring for AIDS patients: predictive variables

Psychological stress and coping strategies in staff working with AIDS patients were assessed using self report methods. Measures: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Coping Orientations to Problems Experiences (COPE), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Depression Questionnaire (DQ) were completed by staff from 20 hospitals of North-Center Italy, including 329 doctors and nurses working with people with AIDS. The results suggested important correlations among burnout, coping style, depression and anxiety. Inadequate strategies used as Focusing on and Venting of emotion, Behavioral Disengagement and depression predicted high level of Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization, while Personal Accomplishment were predicted by more adequate strategies (Planning, Restrain coping and Seeking social support) and low level of anxiety