PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF BURNOUT AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS: AN APPLIED STUDY

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the psychological and social dimensions of burnout among healthcare workers, determine the levels of both psychological and social burnout, identify the most prevalent dimensions of each, and examine the nature of the relationship between them. The study was based on the importance of burnout as a professional phenomenon that is increasingly widespread in healthcare environments due to accumulated occupational, emotional, and organizational pressures.

The study employed a descriptive correlational approach and was applied to a random sample of 96 healthcare workers in Riyadh, including physicians, nurses, and radiologic technologists. Data were collected using two standardized instruments: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to measure the psychological dimensions (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment), and the Survey Work–Home Interaction–Nijmegen (SWING) to measure the social dimensions of burnout.

The results showed that the level of psychological burnout among healthcare workers was relatively high, as its three dimensions recorded mean scores indicating that burnout was experienced “often,” with depersonalization being the most prevalent psychological dimension. The results also showed that negative social burnout (negative interaction between work and home and between home and work) was at a noticeable level. In contrast, positive social burnout (positive interaction between work and home and between home and work) was moderate, tending toward “sometimes.”

The study also revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between psychological burnout and the dimensions of negative social burnout, meaning that as levels of psychological burnout increase, the intensity of negative interaction between work and family increases. In contrast, the results showed a strong negative correlation between psychological burnout and positive social burnout dimensions, indicating that positive interaction and social support protect against burnout.

The study concluded that psychological and social burnout represents a real challenge that threatens the mental health of healthcare workers and the quality of care provided. It emphasized the necessity of adopting supportive organizational and psychological strategies, including improving the work environment, strengthening social support, and achieving a balance between work and family life, to reduce the escalation of burnout.