Holistic Assessment of Factors Associated with Exhaustion, the Main Symptom of Burnout: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies

Yara Shoman (), Valentin Rousson, Renzo Bianchi and Irina Guseva Canu
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Yara Shoman: Center of Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland
Valentin Rousson: Center of Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland
Renzo Bianchi: Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Irina Guseva Canu: Center of Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 20, 1-21

Abstract: Background: This meta-analysis summarized longitudinal findings pertaining to exhaustion’s predictors. In so doing, our aim was ultimately to identify target factors for the prevention of burnout. Methods: We searched for studies that (a) examined predictors of exhaustion longitudinally and (b) reported correlation coefficients as an effect estimate. We conducted our literature search in three databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase. We focused on studies published between January 1990 and November 2020. Predictors were grouped into families, subfamilies, and subgroups. A meta-analysis of z-transformed correlation coefficients (rho) was performed. The results were scrutinized in relation to studies’ follow-up length. Results: We included 65 studies assessing 242 predictors of different types captured across different occupations. Our findings highlighted mostly weak associations (rho < 0.30). For six predictors—Job control, Job resources, Interactions at work, Communication and leadership, Job attitudes, and Work-family interface—longer length of follow-up involved weaker associations with exhaustion. The quality of the evidence available was generally low. Conclusions: The evidence available does not point to clear target factors for preventing burnout. The decrease in associations as the follow-up length increases may suggest a relatively short latency period, followed by recovery. Higher-quality cohorts should be conducted to better understand the etiology and course of burnout.

Keywords: exposure-response relationship; latency period; outcome measurement; predictor; exposure assessment; stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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