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Burnout and Mental Health among Health Professionals
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Burnout and Mental Health among Health Professionals

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Medics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 12700

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alejandro Orgambídez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Social Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Interests: structural empowerment; psychological empowerment; work engagement; burnout
Dr. Yolanda Borrego-Alés

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Social and Educational Psychology, University of Huelva, 21001 Huelva, Spain
Interests: communication skills; social intervention; positive occupational psychology; engagement; social psychology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Burnout syndrome refers to a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that can be caused by stressful and prolonged work factors. Health professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, etc.) frequently experience high levels of stress in their daily work, which, together with the characteristics of work in the healthcare context (e.g., continuous relationships with patients and family members, strong emotional demands, dealing with illness and death, etc.), lead to situations of high burnout.

Burnout has a significant impact on the mental health of health professionals, generating anxiety, depression, irritability, social isolation, insomnia, and other psychosomatic and psychopathological disorders. The consequences of burnout are not only limited to the physical and mental health of workers, but also negatively affect job performance by generating higher levels of stress. In the healthcare setting, professionals with high burnout have a higher risk of making medical errors and/or incorrect diagnoses, which can compromise the safety of patients and users. These errors cause higher levels of stress at work, generating processes of deterioration in the quality of work life and mental health of these professionals.

The Special issue aims to show the relationship between burnout and mental health in health professionals (i.e. general physicians, nurses, social workers, etc.). We invite authors to submit articles (original studies and reviews) as well as interventions focused on burnout prevention and reduction. We would like to discuss individual, psychosocial, and organizational elements present in this syndrome and its effects on the mental health of these professionals, highlighting the possible interventions (primary, secondary, and tertiary) for its treatment.

Dr. Alejandro Orgambídez
Dr. Yolanda Borrego-Alés
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • burnout
  • mental health
  • healthcare
  • health professionals
  • stress

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 2114 KiB  
Article
Exploring Burnout at the Morgue During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-Phase Analysis of Forensic and Pathology Personnel
by Lilioara-Alexandra Oprinca-Muja, Adrian-Nicolae Cristian, Elena Topîrcean, Alina Cristian, Marius Florentin Popa, Roxana Cardoș, George-Călin Oprinca, Diter Atasie, Cosmin Mihalache, Mihaela Dana Bucuță and Silviu Morar
Healthcare 2025, 13(5), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13050504 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 587
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Burnout is a critical concern among healthcare professionals, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated burnout levels among forensic medicine and pathology personnel at three distinct phases: the early pandemic period (Phase 1—September 2020), the peak of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Burnout is a critical concern among healthcare professionals, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated burnout levels among forensic medicine and pathology personnel at three distinct phases: the early pandemic period (Phase 1—September 2020), the peak of the pandemic (Phase 2—October 2021), and the post-pandemic period (Phase 3—October 2024). Methods: A total of 37 participants employed in forensic medicine and pathology departments completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess within-subject differences over time. Normality and sphericity were tested using the Shapiro–Wilk test and Mauchly’s test, with the Greenhouse-Geisser correction. Post hoc Bonferroni-adjusted comparisons identified significant differences, and partial eta squared (η2) was reported for effect sizes. Results: Results showed significant fluctuations in burnout levels across the three phases. Emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment peaked during Phase 2, with slight reductions observed in Phase 3. Gender differences were evident, with females reporting higher EE levels and males exhibiting higher depersonalization across all phases. Marital and parental status also influenced burnout levels, with unmarried individuals and those without children showing higher burnout scores. Medical doctors experienced the highest burnout levels among professional roles, while auxiliary staff showed significant challenges in the PA subscale. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal in exacerbating burnout levels due to increased workload, crisis decision-making, and emotional toll. Although the sample size is limited, these findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted interventions to mitigate burnout among forensic and pathology personnel, especially during healthcare emergencies. Gender-based differences in burnout suggest the necessity of specific workplace well-being strategies, while the protective role of family status demonstrates the importance of work-life balance policies. The persistence of psychological distress after a medical crisis calls for long-term monitoring and support programs. There is a need for improved workload distribution, peer support networks, and mental health training to build resilience among forensic and pathology personnel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Burnout and Mental Health among Health Professionals)
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20 pages, 1011 KiB  
Article
The Role of Short-Form Video Apps in Mitigating Occupational Burnout and Enhancing Life Satisfaction Among Healthcare Workers: A Serial Multiple Mediation Model
by Donghwa Chung, Yanfang Meng and Jiaqi Wang
Healthcare 2025, 13(4), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13040355 - 7 Feb 2025
Viewed by 741
Abstract
Background: The intersection of occupational burnout and digital leisure activities has garnered increasing scholarly attention in recent years. However, limited research has examined how Chinese healthcare workers engage with short-form video apps as a stress management tool. Objectives: This study employs [...] Read more.
Background: The intersection of occupational burnout and digital leisure activities has garnered increasing scholarly attention in recent years. However, limited research has examined how Chinese healthcare workers engage with short-form video apps as a stress management tool. Objectives: This study employs a serial multiple mediation model to explore the impact of occupational burnout on the use of short-form video apps and its subsequent effects on a sense of community, intrinsic rewards, and life satisfaction among Chinese healthcare workers aged 18–34. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey, with 362 valid responses, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, hierarchical regression, and mediation analyses, including serial mediation via SPSS 25.0. Results: The results demonstrate a positive direct association between occupational burnout and the use of short-form video apps. Furthermore, the relationship between the use of short-form video apps and life satisfaction was mediated through two distinct pathways, namely, a sense of community and intrinsic rewards. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the expanding body of literature on the role of digital media in stress management and well-being among healthcare workers, as well as highlighting evidence-based digital interventions to support healthcare workers’ well-being in high-stress settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Burnout and Mental Health among Health Professionals)
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14 pages, 262 KiB  
Article
The Role of Personality in Explaining Burnout, Work Addiction, and Stress-Related Growth in Prehospital Emergency Personnel
by Mihai Alexandru Butoi, Gabriela Vancu, Radiana-Carmen Marcu, Andrei Hermenean, Monica Puticiu and Luciana Teodora Rotaru
Healthcare 2025, 13(2), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13020193 - 19 Jan 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1878
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This is a cross-sectional study designed to explore the contribution of personality factors (the Alternative Five Factor Model) and lower order characteristics (responsive distress and self-discipline) to burnout, work addiction, and stress-related growth among Romanian prehospital emergency healthcare workers. Methods: A total [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This is a cross-sectional study designed to explore the contribution of personality factors (the Alternative Five Factor Model) and lower order characteristics (responsive distress and self-discipline) to burnout, work addiction, and stress-related growth among Romanian prehospital emergency healthcare workers. Methods: A total of 266 prehospital professionals (41 physicians, 74 nurses, and 151 paramedics) participated in the study out of the 728 invited (36.5% response rate). The age of participants ranged between 20 and 57 years and 67.3% were men. The participants completed the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, the Dutch Work Addiction Scale (the short version), the Stress-Related Growth Scale, the Zuckerman–Kuhlman Personality Inventory, the Responsive Distress Scale, and the Self-Discipline Scale. Results: The results show that burnout was predicted by age, gender, impulsive sensation seeking, responsive distress, and self-discipline; work addiction was predicted by aggression–hostility, sociability, and responsive distress, while stress-related growth was predicted by age, activity, and self-discipline. Additionally, we found that emergency healthcare workers displayed lower impulsive sensation seeking, neuroticism–anxiety, and aggression–hostility, but displayed higher levels of activity and sociability in comparison with the general Romanian population, although these differences must be interpreted with caution as the general Romanian population tend to be significantly younger. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the role of personality traits as risk factors for burnout and work addiction, and as protective factors for stress-related growth in prehospital emergency personnel. It is also among the few studies in this field to employ the Alternative Five Factor Model of personality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Burnout and Mental Health among Health Professionals)
10 pages, 722 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Resilience on Post-Traumatic Growth among Nurses in COVID-19-Designated Hospitals: The Mediating Effect of Meaning in Life
by Suk-Jung Han, Young-Ran Yeun and Hyunseung Roh
Healthcare 2023, 11(21), 2895; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11212895 - 3 Nov 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2229
Abstract
This study aimed to confirm the relationship between resilience, meaning in life, and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the mediating effect of meaning in life on the relationship between resilience and PTG was examined. A cross-sectional descriptive [...] Read more.
This study aimed to confirm the relationship between resilience, meaning in life, and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the mediating effect of meaning in life on the relationship between resilience and PTG was examined. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used. The participants were 220 nurses at COVID-19-designated hospitals in Seoul. Descriptive statistics, a t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis, hierarchical regression, and SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 4) were used for data analyses. As a result of the study, resilience and meaning in life each had a significant positive effect on PTG. In addition, the indirect effect of meaning in life was significant, suggesting that meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between resilience and PTG. The results indicate that nurses’ resilience directly contributes to the improvement of PTG, and this relationship is further strengthened indirectly through the presence of meaning in life. Therefore, it is suggested that strategies should be developed to enhance resilience and promote a sense of meaning in the profession in order to support the mental health and foster growth among nurses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Burnout and Mental Health among Health Professionals)
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17 pages, 638 KiB  
Article
An Exploratory Study of Psychological Distress, Professional Quality of Life, Effort-Reward Imbalance, and Turnover Intention of Hospital Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Suk-Jung Han, Soon-Youl Lee and Sie-Eun Kim
Healthcare 2023, 11(19), 2695; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11192695 - 9 Oct 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2234
Abstract
This exploratory study aimed to identify factors that may influence nurses’ turnover intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected during January 2023 from 250 nurses and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Among [...] Read more.
This exploratory study aimed to identify factors that may influence nurses’ turnover intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected during January 2023 from 250 nurses and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Among the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, nursing care and working with personal protective equipment significantly impacted the turnover intention. Among the independent variables, compassion satisfaction, burnout, effort–reward ratio, and psychological distress were significant, with an explanatory power of 43.3%. Among the subjects, 86.4% (216 people) showed a moderate or high burnout level because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and burnout seemed to have a significant impact on turnover intention. Therefore, to lower the turnover intention of nurses, burnout should be prevented, and managers should create an environment where nurses can receive a balanced reward for their efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Burnout and Mental Health among Health Professionals)

Other

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24 pages, 2492 KiB  
Systematic Review
Analysis of the Predictors and Consequential Factors of Emotional Exhaustion Among Social Workers: A Systematic Review
by Alfonso Chaves-Montero, Pilar Blanco-Miguel and Belén Ríos-Vizcaíno
Healthcare 2025, 13(5), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13050552 - 4 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1704
Abstract
Background: Emotional exhaustion, a central component of burnout syndrome, affects social workers due to adverse work factors such as excessive workload, work–family conflict, and a lack of social support. The job demands–resources and conservation of resources models explain how chronic stress influences these [...] Read more.
Background: Emotional exhaustion, a central component of burnout syndrome, affects social workers due to adverse work factors such as excessive workload, work–family conflict, and a lack of social support. The job demands–resources and conservation of resources models explain how chronic stress influences these professionals. Methods: A systematic review was carried out using the recommendations of the PRISMA guidelines as a reference for the selection and identification of studies and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, registering the protocol in PROSPERO. Cross-sectional studies published from 1 January 2019 to 30 September 2024 were included and five main databases―Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and PsycInfo—were used to search for specific studies written in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Results: Of 361 initial records, 21 studies involving more than 24,000 social workers from diverse global settings were analyzed. The main risk factors identified were workload, work–family conflict, and work victimization. Resilience, self-care, and social support were highlighted as protective factors. Emotional exhaustion was associated with low job satisfaction, turnover intention, and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Emotional burnout requires specific strategies, such as work flexibility, wellness programs, and organizational support. These measures can mitigate its impact, improving work–life balance and fostering resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Burnout and Mental Health among Health Professionals)
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11 pages, 932 KiB  
Systematic Review
Moral Distress and Emotional Exhaustion in Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Alejandro Orgambídez, Yolanda Borrego, F. Javier Alcalde and Auxiliadora Durán
Healthcare 2025, 13(4), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13040393 - 12 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2145
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Moral distress is commonly experienced by healthcare professionals (i.e., nurses) as ethical conflict. Previous literature suggests that moral distress contributes to emotional exhaustion in these professionals. We aimed to synthesize and analyze studies that examined the relationship between moral distress and emotional [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Moral distress is commonly experienced by healthcare professionals (i.e., nurses) as ethical conflict. Previous literature suggests that moral distress contributes to emotional exhaustion in these professionals. We aimed to synthesize and analyze studies that examined the relationship between moral distress and emotional exhaustion in healthcare professionals. Methods: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and PsycInfo were used to search targeted studies written in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. The correlation coefficients of each study were extracted and converted into Fisher’s z. Finally, pooled r was calculated by Fisher’s z and standard error. The meta-analysis was performed with the R statistical program. Results: A total of 14 studies with 2425 healthcare professionals were included. The Moral Distress Scale Revised (MDS-R) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were the most used scales to measure moral distress and emotional exhaustion, respectively. The pooled correlation coefficient between moral distress and emotional exhaustion was 0.33 (p < 0.001, 95%CI: 0.27, 0.39). Conclusions: Moral distress is strongly correlated to emotional exhaustion in healthcare professionals. Future studies should focus on exploring the causal relationships between both variables as well as investigating potential moderators. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Burnout and Mental Health among Health Professionals)
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