Relationship between occupational burnout and demographic variables among nurses in Jahrom, Iran

Occupational burnout is a psychological syndrome caused by the accumulation of work-related stress and characterized by intolerance, high levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and the perception of low personal accomplishment. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between occupational burnout and all demographic variables among the nurses in Jahrom, Iran.

The present descriptive-analytical study was carried out during 2016 among nurses employed at Motahari Hospital and Peymanieh Hospital, both affiliated to Jahrom University of Medical Sciences (Iran). Based on the inclusion criteria, a total of 250 participants were selected. The data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire and the Maslach burnout inventory. The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software (version 16.0) by descriptive statistics and Spearman's test.

Among the participants, 223(89.2%) nurses suffered from a moderate to high level of occupational burnout. There was a significant correlation between personal accomplishment and age (r=0.21, P=0.002) and education level (r=-0.16, P=0.01). Additionally, income level had a significant correlation with emotional exhaustion (r=-0.38, P=0.001), depersonalization (r=-0.3, P=0.001), and personal accomplishment (r=0.35, P=0.001). A significant relationship was also found between sex and depersonalization (r=-0.15, P=0.02). However, there was no significant relationship between occupational burnout subscales and the number of children, type of hospital ward, type of employment, and marital status (P>0.05).

A significant positive correlation was found between the subscales of occupational burnout and younger age, low income, high education, and male nurses.