Burnout and personality factors among surgical area nurses: a cross sectional multicentre study

Abstract

Objective: To determine levels of burnout among surgical area nurses in Andalusia (Spain), to identify the phase of burnout in each participant and to consider its relationship with sociodemographic, occupational variables and personality factors considered. Data source: Data were collected by means of questionary. All nurses working in the surgical area on the date of data collection participated in the study. Sociodemographic and related to work variables were addressed in the questionnaire. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Educational-Clinical Questionnaire: Anxiety and Depression (CECAD). Psychological personality variables were assessed using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), adapted for a Spanish population. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Study design: Multicentre, cross-sectional, quantitative study carried out from August to October 2021. Data analysis: Descriptive analysis, Student’s t-test for independent samples, Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression were performed with SPSS 25.0. Data extraction methods: The study sample consisted of 214 surgical area nurses at 23 hospitals in Andalusia (Spain). Sociodemographic, occupational and personality variables were studied using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Educational-Clinical Questionnaire: Anxiety and Depression. The STROBE statement guidelines were applied. Principal findings: 29.4% of the nurses in the sample presented high levels of emotional exhaustion, 25.7% suffered from depersonalization and 28% had low levels of personal accomplishment. These three dimensions were significantly correlated with the NEO-FFI subscales (neuroticism, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness and extraversion), and with all the anxiety and depression items considered. Agreeableness was a statistically significant predictor (p < 0.001) for all three dimensions of burnout. Conclusion: Nurses in the surgical area present high levels of Burnout. There is evidence that relates Burnout to personality factors and socio-demographic variables.