Effects of Job Stress and Burnout on Health
Overview of the Study
A team of researchers in France conducted a study to assess how job stress and burnout impact both physical and mental health. Many jobs can feel monotonous and unfulfilling, consuming considerable time without apparent rewards. While this sentiment is common, the phenomenon of burnout can profoundly affect some employees within an organization.
Understanding Professional Burnout
Burnout is not classified as a mental disorder and lacks formal diagnostic criteria. Instead, it is viewed as a “mismatch” between an employee and their work environment, often linked with management. Symptoms typically associated with burnout include fatigue, mood disorders, sleep issues, and cognitive impairments. Research has also identified connections between burnout and physical health concerns, such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, often mediated by allostatic load— the wear and tear on the body from prolonged stress.
Research Purpose
As detailed in PLoS ONE, the French researchers aimed to identify a biological signature associated with chronic job stress leading to burnout. They evaluated biological parameters, job strain, social support, and mental health status among participants.
Study Findings
Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization
The study involved 54 white-collar employees experiencing burnout and 86 healthy counterparts from the same company. Findings revealed a significant correlation between burnout and elevated levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, along with reduced physical activity. Participants suffering from burnout reported more severe sleep disturbances, including insomnia, frequent awakenings, and non-restorative sleep, alongside higher incidences of anxiety and depression.
Physical Indicators Linked to Burnout
Physical health indicators were also associated with burnout. One specific marker, HbA1C, which measures blood glucose levels and insulin resistance, indicated a higher risk of diabetes among those experiencing burnout. Additionally, the study found that low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and other inflammation markers were correlated with burnout, with insufficient vitamin D linked to increased sleepiness.
Burnout and Biological Markers of Stress
Biological Implications
Unlike many previous studies, this research established a link between burnout and biological markers, suggesting that burnout may be further examined as a biological condition. For instance, sleep disturbances were identified as risk factors for weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance. The researchers emphasized that emotional exhaustion was the most strongly correlated factor with these health risks. Insomnia and the biomarker HbA1C can serve as bio-clinical indicators of chronic workplace stress.
Consequences of Allostatic Overload
The findings indicate that individuals experiencing burnout may be approaching allostatic overload, which disrupts biological processes and increases the risk of chronic conditions like hypertension and obesity. This overload may explain the negative physiological outcomes associated with burnout.
Future Research Directions
Study Limitations
One limitation of the study was the reliance on self-reported data, which may have led to exaggerated responses due to the participants’ low mood. Additionally, as a correlation study conducted at a single point in time, it does not allow for interpretations of causality or the direction of any potential causal relationships. The researchers did not track the duration or severity of burnout, factors that could clarify some of the findings.
Need for Further Research
Further studies are essential to gain a deeper understanding of this complex phenomenon and its implications for both mental and physical health.
Reference
Metlaine A, Sauvet F, Gomez-Merino D, Boucher T, Elbaz M, Delafosse JY, et al. (2018) Sleep and biological parameters in professional burnout: A psychophysiological characterization. PLoS ONE 13(1): e0190607. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190607