Job Burnout in Telework of Greek Workers: A Quantitative Study Identifying the Correlation of Extroversion and Introversion with Job Burnout

Abstract

The present study investigated how the consequences of telecommuting depend on the personality characteristics of employees. The hypothesis is that extroverted people will have more difficulties distancing themselves from the workplace and shifting work to home and thus high levels of burnout. It was also hypothesized that individuals with high levels of neuroticism would experience more burnout symptoms. The research involved 133 people who answered a questionnaire of demographic factors, the Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ) short form to determine extroversion and introversion and neuroticism, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The first hypothesis was not confirmed, as the results of the research showed that extroversion is negatively associated with burnout and therefore introversion is associated with more burnout symptoms. The second hypothesis was confirmed by demonstrating that neuroticism is positively correlated with burnout. Multiple regression showed extraversion as the most significant predictor of reduced burnout symptoms but showed no gender differences in burnout. In addition, it appeared that those with a higher academic education presented more emotional exhaustion and depersonalization which are indicators of burnout, but also more personal achievements which is an indicator of reduced burnout compared to those who were high school/IEK/KEK graduates. Even those with improved financial situation compared to 3 years ago presented more personal achievements.