Late Effects of Cancer Treatment, Job Resources, and Burnout Complaints Among Employees With a Breast Cancer Diagnosis 2-10 Years Ago: A Longitudinal Study.

Ingrid G Boelhouwer,Willemijn Vermeer,Tinka Van Vuuren

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.793138

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of possible late effects of cancer treatment (physical complaints, fatigue, and cognitive complaints) and of two job resources (autonomy and supportive leadership style) on future burnout complaints, among employees living 2–10 years beyond breast cancer diagnosis.MethodsData at T1 (baseline questionnaire) and at T2 (9 months later) were collected in 2018 and 2019 (N = 287). These data were part of a longitudinal study among Dutch speaking workers with a cancer diagnosis 2–10 years ago. All complaints and job resources were self-reported. Longitudinal multivariate regression analyses were executed, controlling for years since diagnosis, living with cancer (recurrence or metastasis), and other chronic or severe diseases. Mediation by baseline burnout complaints was considered.ResultsA higher level of fatigue and cognitive complaints at baseline (T1) resulted in higher future burnout complaints (at T2), with partial mediation by baseline burnout complaints. No effect of physical complaints at T1 was observed. Higher levels of autonomy or a supportive leadership style resulted in lower burnout complaints, with full mediation by baseline burnout complaints. Buffering was observed by autonomy in the relationship of cognitive complaints with future burnout complaints. No moderation was observed by supportive leadership.ConclusionThe level of burnout complaints among employees 2–10 years beyond breast cancer diagnosis may be an effect of fatigue or cognitive complaints, and awareness of this effect is necessary. Interventions to stimulate supportive leadership and autonomy are advisable, the latter especially in the case of cognitive complaints.

Highlights

Burnout complaints receive a lot of attention, both in the media, within companies and organizations, among occupational physicians and within the area of work and organizational psychology
The aim of this study is to investigate (1) if and to what extent possible late effects of cancer treatments affect the level of future burnout complaints, and (2) to identify a possible direct effect of autonomy or a supportive leadership style on future burnout complaints, as well as buffering of the presumed association of late effects with future burnout complaints, among female salaried employees diagnosed with breast cancer 2– 10 years ago
A paired sample test resulted in no significant difference between burnout complaints at T1 and burnout complaints at T2

Summary

Introduction

Burnout complaints receive a lot of attention, both in the media, within companies and organizations, among occupational physicians and within the area of work and organizational psychology. The number of research studies into burnout complaints has increased enormously in recent decades (Maslach et al, 2001; Taris et al, 2013). It is important to mention that research data show that only a fraction of employees reporting burnout complaints develop a burnout. In 2018 the percentage of employees in the Netherlands that reported to experience burnout complaints several times a month was 16.4% of the male employees and 18.1% of female employees (RIVM, 2018). Data show that 30% of the mental disorders diagnosed by occupational physicians in the Netherlands concerned burnout (Kerncijfers beroepsziekten 2021 | Beroepsziekten.nl, 2021)

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