Burnout em psicólogos : prevalência e fatores associados

Abstract

Burnout Syndrome (BS) is a psychosocial phenomenon that occurs as a response to chronic interpersonal stressors in a work situation. Psychologists are professionals at risk due to the particularities of their work, since they routinely deal with people with intense emotional demands. If affected by BS, these professionals compromise their health and the quality of the work they provide. Studies on Burnout among psychologists can subsidize ways to prevent and to promote quality of life at work for this occupational group. Thus, the general objective of this thesis was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with BS among Psychologists. The study was organized in two parts: a theoretical section and an empirical section. The theoretical section presents a systematic literature review study made aiming to gather and analyze evidences available in the literature that contribute to the understanding of Burnout among psychologists. These results provided the theoretical basis of the thesis and enabled the establishment of the specific objectives. The second section, empirical, consists of two cross-sectional analytical studies with an observational design. The first study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of BS among psychologists and the association of socio-demographic and labor variables in a sample of 518 psychologists who worked in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Results showed a 7.5% prevalence of psychologists with Profile 1 of Burnout and a 9.8% prevalence with Profile 2. Men, professionals without a steady partner, people who have no children, professionals with smaller financial gains, lower weekly working hours, a greater number of counseling sessions, those engaged in activities that are not related to Psychology, those who work with only one area of Psychology, those who are employed, those who do not participate in study groups or psychological associations constitute the risk profile identified by the associated factors. The second study aimed to identify the individual variables and characteristics of the position that predict BS among psychologists. Results show a predictor model related to individual variables such as selfefficacy and the use of coping strategies focused on emotion and to the characteristics of the job, such as overload, autonomy and role conflict. These results indicate that Burnout is explained by the interaction of individual characteristics and the work context. It is possible to think of actions that prepare future psychologists, already during their training, for the development of vocational skills and coping strategies focused on the problem. In the work context, paying attention to the proper management of work demands, encouraging autonomy and managing conflicts that are provoked by the professional role of psychologists are alternatives that can reduce the risk of Burnout.