Claudia Traunmüller1, Rene Stefitz2, Kerstin Gaisbachgrabner2, Peter Hofmann3, Andreas Roessler4, Andreas R Schwerdtfeger2. 1. Institute of Psychology, Health Psychology Unit, University of Graz, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: claudia.traunmueller@uni-graz.at. 2. Institute of Psychology, Health Psychology Unit, University of Graz, Graz, Austria. 3. Institute of Sports Science, Exercise Physiology, Training & Training Therapy Research Group, University of Graz, Graz, Austria. 4. Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is evidence that chronic stress and emotional exhaustion are related to physiological dysregulations, which could negatively impact physical and mental health. This study aimed to identify the specific physiological clusters which are most reliable and prominently associated with burnout. Emphasis was placed on variables of the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Burnout was assessed using the Emotional Exhaustion subscale of the German version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS). METHODS: A sample of 105 individuals aged between 28 and 60 years (M = 42.7, SD = 7.75) and working under highly demanding conditions participated in this study. 46 participants reported a low risk of burnout, and 58 participants a high risk. They underwent 24 h of ECG monitoring, had cortisol awakening response collected, and had blood pressure measured two times within a week. RESULTS: Compromised HRV, higher cortisol values, and higher blood pressure were found in individuals with high burnout symptoms. Furthermore, a discriminant function analysis on cardiac and neuroendocrine variables suggested two subgroups within the high burnout individuals, with only one group showing evidence for autonomic dysfunction as indicated by lower vagal efference. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that burnout might not necessarily imply physiological disturbances, thus calling for a more differentiated and individualized view of burnout.
BACKGROUND: There is evidence that chronic stress and emotional exhaustion are related to physiological dysregulations, which could negatively impact physical and mental health. This study aimed to identify the specific physiological clusters which are most reliable and prominently associated with burnout. Emphasis was placed on variables of the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Burnout was assessed using the Emotional Exhaustion subscale of the German version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS). METHODS: A sample of 105 individuals aged between 28 and 60 years (M = 42.7, SD = 7.75) and working under highly demanding conditions participated in this study. 46 participants reported a low risk of burnout, and 58 participants a high risk. They underwent 24 h of ECG monitoring, had cortisol awakening response collected, and had blood pressure measured two times within a week. RESULTS: Compromised HRV, higher cortisol values, and higher blood pressure were found in individuals with high burnout symptoms. Furthermore, a discriminant function analysis on cardiac and neuroendocrine variables suggested two subgroups within the high burnout individuals, with only one group showing evidence for autonomic dysfunction as indicated by lower vagal efference. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that burnout might not necessarily imply physiological disturbances, thus calling for a more differentiated and individualized view of burnout.
Authors: Roland von Känel; Mary Princip; Sarah A Holzgang; Walther J Fuchs; Marc van Nuffel; Aju P Pazhenkottil; Tobias R Spiller Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2020-10-28 Impact factor: 4.379