Past and familial depression predict current symptoms of professional burnout

Despite a substantial association between professional burnout and depression, the exact nature of the relationship is unclear. It is hypothesized that an underlying susceptibility for depression is associated with an enhanced risk for professional burnout. In the present study, the relationship was examined between indices of personal and familial history of depression and current symptoms of burnout.

Respondents were 3385 employees of different work settings (61% female, age 18-65 years), who completed questionnaires regarding demographic variables, working hours, personal and familial history of depression, current depressive symptomatology, and current symptoms of professional burnout.

After controlling for background variables, the strongest predictor of all three burnout facets was current depressive symptomatology. Independent of the effects of background variables and current depressive symptoms, having ever experienced a depressive episode further predicted current symptoms of two burnout facets: emotional exhaustion (OR=1.82, 95% CI=1.38-2.40, P<0.001) and cynicism (OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.16-1.98, P=0.002). In addition, a history of depression in close family members independently predicted current symptoms of emotional exhaustion (OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.27-2.10, P<0.001), while a trend appeared for a similar effect on cynicism (OR=1.23, 95% CI=0.96-1.58, P=0.095).

The study is based on a cross-sectional retrospective design.

A predisposition for depression, as reflected by a personal and familial history of depression, may enhance the risk for burnout.