The Managing Burnout - Term Paper Example

Managing Burnout According to psychologists, burnout is the condition that one experiences when their interest diminishes and exhaustion sets in long-term. Maslach and Michael Leiter in their 1970 research literature noted that the antithesis of engagement is burnout. According to the Maslach Burnout Inventory, there are three main dimensions of the condition; inefficiency, cynicism and exhaustion (Jackson, Leiter, & Maslach 15). Since burnout may not be uncommon among workers, there is a great need to manage it and its effects on individuals. This paper will discuss burnout as a condition and will focus more on how it can be properly managed. Nature, Causes and Effects of Burnout It is in 1974 that the term burnout was first coined, Herbert Freudenberger being the man behind its invention. Tracy 2000 in her research defined organizational burnout as the alienation and general wearing out from work related pressures (Maslach, Leiter & Schaufeli 394) . Several theories have been postulated by many a psychologist in an attempt to explain burnout and its effects. The level of one’s burnout is a direct influence of the way stress is processed by an individual. It is also noted that an individual may be experiencing a few stressors yet he/she may not be able to process the stresses which eventually results in burnout. On the other hand, another individual may be subjected to numerous stressors all of which he/she may well process and therefore not experience burnout. There are a number of tests that one can be subjected to determine if a person will or is experience burnout according to Dierendonck, Schaufeli and Buunk (395). Indeed many psychologists admit that burnout is greatly related to work although it can also result from certain personality traits (such as being perfectionist) and lifestyles (Maslach, Leiter & Schaufeli 401). The way a person spends his/her downtime and their perspective of the world can for example can lead to burnout at work or at home. Some of the main causes of burnout include long working hours and continual surveillance from peers, customers and superiors especially at work, overly demanding expectations at work, doing work that lacks challenge or is monotonous, having no control over work and working under intense pressures. Having less sleep, lack of supportive relationships, having too many responsibilities and overworking are some of the lifestyles that could cause burnout. In general, it is noted that at work, the condition leads to low performance and output while it can also affect one’s health as it increases the chances of one experiencing circulatory issues, heat disease and raises stress level (Maslach & Leiter 34). Mentally, burnout may easily lead to such detrimental conditions as depression. Phases of Burnout Gail and Herbert are two psychologists who have contributed a lot in the understanding of the condition that is burnout (Maslach, Leiter, Schaufeli 401). According to the two theorists, the condition has developmental process may be divided into a dozen phases. These phases however may not follow one another in a particular sequence, and neither is it obvious that they will all exist in every case. In other words, the list of phases postulated by the two researchers is merely an abstract construct. The 12 phases include: a compulsion to seek self approval, working harder, ignoring individual needs and failure to notice the root causes of distresses. These phases are followed by the revision of values, getting into denial of new problems that the individual faces, withdrawal, change of behaviour, and depersonalization. The latter phases of the process include a feeling of inner emptiness, getting into depression and finally succumbing to burnout syndrome Preventing and Managing Burnout According to Maslach and Leiter (34), whereas people can live with the signs or symptoms of burnout, it is only by applying a combination of organizational changes and personal education that burnout can be prevented. Organizations can help prevent the condition by developing management strategies that are focused on preventing the condition while simultaneously supporting a workplace environment that is healthier. In Maslach’s and Leiter’s (25) view, the condition occurs when there exists a disconnection between the person and the organization with regard to half a dozen factors. These factors according to the duo include values, control, workload, reward, fairness and community. What this simply means is that both the individual and the organization have a stake in ensuring that burnout does not feature in the workplace. In order to avoid burnout, the discrepancies that may exist between the organization and the person should be adequately addressed, in time through an integration of strategies (Buunk, Dierendonck &Schaufeli 385) Focusing on fairness such as by discussing and resolving apparent inequities at work is know to decrease exhaustion although it may not impact cynicism and inefficiency. It has been noted by some psychologists that burnout in most cases is motivated by the perspective of the organization as opposed to that of the individual. Some of the most common strategies that have been used in managing burnout include establishing employee assistance programs, conducting stress management education, and engaging stress intervention measures. Individuals can also involve in problem-based coping, appraisal based coping or seek social support as ways of countering burnout. According to Help Guide (par 9), individuals can overcome burnout by engaging themselves in relaxing activities such as meditation, exercising or reading inspirational material. Another strategy involves adopting healthy habits; sleeping, eating and exercising Help Guide (par 10). Taking breaks away from routines and technology, slowing down and setting boundaries also go a long way in dealing with the condition. Yet again, learning how to effectively manage stress and nourishing one’s creativity will do one great good in preventing or managing burnout. Conclusion Burnout is a state of general tiredness that results when one is subjected to prolonged and almost unbearable stress. One experiences burnout when they feel incapable of meeting demands and therefore somehow feel overwhelmed. The condition is characterised by lack of motivation, feeling hopeless and being cynical. There are several causes of burnout including overworking, unhealthy lifestyles and personal traits. Several strategies can be applied in dealing with the condition at the personal and organizational levels. These strategies must however be focused on reducing personal stresses, reducing or possibly eliminating stressors, adopting health lifestyles and developing good traits. Works Cited Buunk B. Dierendonck D. &Schaufeli W. "The evaluation of an individual burnout intervention program: the role of inequity and social support". Journal of Applied Psychology (83): 392–407. 1998. Maslach, C., Leiter M. & Schaufeli W. "Job burnout". Annual Review of Psychology (52): 397–422. 2001. Maslach, C. & Leiter, M. The truth about burnout. New York. Jossey-Bass. 1997. HelpGuide (nd) Preventing Burnout, viewed 23rd September, 2010 http://www.helpguide.org/mental/burnout_signs_symptoms.htm JacksonS., Leiter, M. & Maslach C. MBI: The Maslach Burnout Inventory: Manual. Palo Alto. Consulting Psychologists Press. 1996. Read More