David Martínez-Rubio1,2,3, Cristina Martínez-Brotons1, Alicia Monreal-Bartolomé4,5, Alberto Barceló-Soler4,5, Daniel Campos4,6, Adrián Pérez-Aranda4,7,8, Ariadna Colomer-Carbonell8,9, Sergio Cervera-Torres10, Silvia Solé11, Yolanda Moreno12, Jesús Montero-Marín13. 1. Psicoforma, Integral Psychology Center, Valencia, Spain. 2. Excellence Research Network PROMOSAM (PSI2014-56303-REDT), Madrid, Spain. 3. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia, Spain. 4. Aragon Institute for Health Research, IIS Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain. 5. Primary Care Prevention and Health Promotion Research Network, RedIAPP, Madrid, Spain. 6. Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain. 7. Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain. 8. AGORA Research Group, Teaching, Research & Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain. 9. Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain. 10. Salumedia Labs, Research Division of Adhera Health, Inc, Palo Alto, CA, USA. 11. Facultat d'Infermeria i Fisioteràpia, Grup GESEC, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain. 12. Department of Sciences (FCAFD), Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain. 13. Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Abstract
AIMS: To explore the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility, and the burnout subtypes in university students of the Psychology and Nursing degrees, and to analyse possible risk factors for developing burnout among socio-demographic and studies-related characteristics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 644 undergraduate students of Nursing and Psychology from two Spanish universities. METHODS: The study was conducted between December 2015 and May 2016. Bivariate Pearson's correlations were computed to analyse the association between mindfulness facets, self-compassion and psychological flexibility, and levels of burnout. Multivariate linear regression models and bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regressions were also computed. RESULTS: The three subtypes of burnout presented significant correlations with psychological flexibility, self-compassion and some mindfulness facets. Psychological flexibility, self-compassion and the mindfulness facets of observing and acting with awareness were significantly associated to burnout. Among the risk factors, 'year of study' was the only variable to show significantly higher risk for every burnout subtype. CONCLUSION: The significant associations found between mindfulness, self-compassion, psychological flexibility and burnout levels underline the need of including these variables as therapeutic targets when addressing the burnout syndrome in university students. IMPACT: Undergraduate students, especially those of health sciences, often experience burnout. This study delves into the protective role of some psychological variables: mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility. These should be considered as potentially protective skills for developing burnout, and therefore, undergraduate students could be trained on these abilities to face their studies and their future profession to prevent experiencing burnout syndrome.
AIMS: To explore the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility, and the burnout subtypes in university students of the Psychology and Nursing degrees, and to analyse possible risk factors for developing burnout among socio-demographic and studies-related characteristics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 644 undergraduate students of Nursing and Psychology from two Spanish universities. METHODS: The study was conducted between December 2015 and May 2016. Bivariate Pearson's correlations were computed to analyse the association between mindfulness facets, self-compassion and psychological flexibility, and levels of burnout. Multivariate linear regression models and bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regressions were also computed. RESULTS: The three subtypes of burnout presented significant correlations with psychological flexibility, self-compassion and some mindfulness facets. Psychological flexibility, self-compassion and the mindfulness facets of observing and acting with awareness were significantly associated to burnout. Among the risk factors, 'year of study' was the only variable to show significantly higher risk for every burnout subtype. CONCLUSION: The significant associations found between mindfulness, self-compassion, psychological flexibility and burnout levels underline the need of including these variables as therapeutic targets when addressing the burnout syndrome in university students. IMPACT: Undergraduate students, especially those of health sciences, often experience burnout. This study delves into the protective role of some psychological variables: mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility. These should be considered as potentially protective skills for developing burnout, and therefore, undergraduate students could be trained on these abilities to face their studies and their future profession to prevent experiencing burnout syndrome.