Volume 26, Issue 23-24 pp. 4622-4633

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Vulnerability to burnout within the nursing workforce—The role of personality and interpersonal behaviour

Nina Geuens RM, MScN,

Corresponding Author

Nina Geuens RM, MScN

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-2047-1996

Centre of Expertise on Psychological Wellbeing in Patient Care, Karel de Grote University College, Antwerp, Belgium

Correspondence

Nina Geuens, Centre of Expertise on Psychological Wellbeing in Patient Care, Karel de Grote University College, Antwerp, Belgium.

Email: [email protected]

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Peter Van Bogaert PhD, RN,

Peter Van Bogaert PhD, RN

Department of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Centre for Research and Innovation in Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium

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Erik Franck PhD, RN,

Erik Franck PhD, RN

Centre of Expertise on Psychological Wellbeing in Patient Care, Karel de Grote University College, Antwerp, Belgium

Department of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Centre for Research and Innovation in Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium

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Nina Geuens RM, MScN,

Corresponding Author

Nina Geuens RM, MScN

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-2047-1996

Centre of Expertise on Psychological Wellbeing in Patient Care, Karel de Grote University College, Antwerp, Belgium

Correspondence

Nina Geuens, Centre of Expertise on Psychological Wellbeing in Patient Care, Karel de Grote University College, Antwerp, Belgium.

Email: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Peter Van Bogaert PhD, RN,

Peter Van Bogaert PhD, RN

Department of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Centre for Research and Innovation in Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium

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Erik Franck PhD, RN,

Erik Franck PhD, RN

Centre of Expertise on Psychological Wellbeing in Patient Care, Karel de Grote University College, Antwerp, Belgium

Department of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Centre for Research and Innovation in Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium

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First published: 15 March 2017

https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13808

Citations: 45

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Abstract

Aims and objectives

To study the combination of personality and interpersonal behaviour of staff nurses in general hospitals in relation to burnout and its separate dimensions.

Background

More research on the individual factors contributing to the development of burnout is needed to improve the risk profile of nursing staff. Therefore, a combination of Leary's interpersonal circumplex model, which depicts the interpersonal behaviour trait domain, and the five-factor model was considered in the study at hand.

Design

A cross-sectional research method was applied using self-report questionnaires.

Methods

A total of 880 Belgian general hospital nurses were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected from November 2012–July 2013. The questionnaire consisted of three validated self-report instruments: the NEO five-factor inventory, the Dutch Interpersonal Behaviour Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

Results

Of the 880 nurses invited to participate, 587 (67%) returned the questionnaire. Sex, neuroticism, submissive-friendly behaviour, dominant-friendly behaviour and vector length were found to be predictive factors for emotional exhaustion. For depersonalisation, sex, neuroticism, conscientiousness, friendly behaviour, submissive-friendly behaviour, dominant-hostile behaviour and vector length were predictive factors. Finally, personal accomplishment was determined by neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness, and hostile behaviour.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the influence of the Big Five personality factors on the separate dimensions of burnout. Interpersonal behaviour made a significant contribution to the predictive capacity of the regression models of all three dimensions of burnout. Additional longitudinal research is required to confirm the causal relationship between these individual factors and burnout.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results of this study can help to achieve a better understanding of which vulnerabilities an individual prevention programme for burnout should target. In addition, hospitals could use assessment instruments to identify nurses who are prone to burnout and thus would benefit from additional support or stress reduction programmes.

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Volume26, Issue23-24

December 2017

Pages 4622-4633

Vulnerability to burnout within the nursing workforce—The role of personality and interpersonal behaviour

Abstract

Aims and objectives

Background

Design

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Relevance to clinical practice

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Vulnerability to burnout within the nursing workforce—The role of personality and interpersonal behaviour

Abstract

Aims and objectives

Background

Design

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Relevance to clinical practice

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information