Decent Work and Burnout: A Profile Study With Academic Personnel
Ana C Dinis1, Tânia Ferraro2, Leonor Pais3
1Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Psychological Reports
|May 23, 2022
Summary
Burnout in academia is linked to poor workplace treatment and excessive workload. Improving fundamental principles and adequate working time can mitigate burnout among academic staff.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Higher Education Studies
Background:
- Burnout is a significant issue in academic settings, impacting personnel well-being and productivity.
- Decent Work (DW) encompasses principles and conditions crucial for employee well-being, yet its relationship with burnout requires further investigation in diverse academic contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between Decent Work (DW) and burnout among Portuguese and Brazilian academic personnel.
- To identify distinct profiles emerging from the interplay between DW dimensions and burnout.
- To pinpoint specific DW deficits contributing to burnout in the academic sector.
Main Methods:
- Online survey administered to 727 academic personnel (334 Portuguese, 393 Brazilian).
- Utilized the Decent Work Questionnaire (DWQ) and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI).
- Employed multiple linear regressions and cluster analysis to identify relationships and profiles.
- MANOVA was used to analyze differences between burnout and DW dimensions.
Main Results:
- Two key DW dimensions, 'Fundamental Principles and Values at Work' and 'Adequate Working Time and Workload,' were significantly and negatively associated with burnout.
- Four distinct profiles were identified: Low DW, High DW, Low Fundamental Principles/Values, and Low Adequate Working Time/Workload.
- A substantial majority (71%) of the sample exhibited deficits in at least one DW dimension.
- Burnout was predominantly linked to deficits in fair treatment, interpersonal relationships, and work-life balance.
Conclusions:
- Burnout in academic personnel is strongly influenced by inadequate workplace treatment and excessive demands on working time and workload.
- Targeted interventions should prioritize enhancing fairness, participation, non-discrimination, and ensuring adequate working hours and workload management.
- Addressing deficits in 'Fundamental Principles and Values at Work' and 'Adequate Working Time and Workload' is crucial for reducing burnout.
Keywords:
academic personnelcluster analysisdecent workorganizational and personnel psychologypersonal burnoutworkMore Related Videos
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