Abstract
The purpose of this study was: (1) to assess levels of burnout, work-related quality of life (WRQoL) and mental health symptoms among a sample of active workers living in Portugal; (2) to analyze differences in burnout, WRQoL and mental health symptoms by gender and shift work; (3) to analyze association levels among all variables under study; (4) to determine the predictive effect of burnout and WRQoL on mental health symptoms; and (5) to assess the mediating effect of burnout on the association between WRQoL and mental health symptoms. Eight-hundred and forty-one Portuguese active workers between 18 and 67 years of age participated in this study (Mean = 37.23; SD = 11.99). Results showed that women participants scored higher in burnout and mental health symptoms, and lower in overall WRQoL, than men; additionally, participants who worked in shifts presented higher mental health symptoms. Significant correlations were found for all variables and regression analysis demonstrated that 56% of the overall variance of mental health symptoms was explained by older age, shift work, lower WRQoL, and burnout (exhaustion and cognitive impairment). Finally, the mediation effect of burnout on the association between WRQoL and mental health symptoms was statistically significant. These findings are useful for health professionals and health managers who work in the field of occupational health in identifying variables affecting burnout, WRQoL and mental health symptoms.
Highlights
Burnout, depression and anxiety symptoms are common mental health problems [1], with severe productivity costs for organizations due to impaired work performance [2].understanding the antecedents of workers’ mental health symptoms and the role of burnout and perceived work-related quality of life (WRQoL) is an important research topic
Studies conducted in Portugal exploring the mediating effect of the association between WRQoL and mental health symptoms are still scarce
The purpose of this study was: (1) to assess levels of burnout, WRQoL and mental health symptoms among a sample of active workers living in Portugal; (2) to analyze differences in burnout, WRQoL
Summary
Depression and anxiety symptoms are common mental health problems [1], with severe productivity costs for organizations due to impaired work performance [2]. Understanding the antecedents of workers’ mental health symptoms and the role of burnout and perceived work-related quality of life (WRQoL) is an important research topic. The present research examines occupational mental health hazards, analyzing burnout’s mediator role as a consequence of experiences in working life and as a phenomenon that may have potential after-effects on mental health. We describe and analyze the potential impact of occupational quality of life on mental health indicators, contributing to a better understanding of burnout syndrome predictors and health consequences. As a potential mediator variable in a relationship between WRQoL and mental
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