Occupational burnout or Burnout Syndrome as a predictor of psychosomatic disorders in employees at a hospital in Norte de Santander, Colombia

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive capacity of occupational burnout factors and sociodemographic variables on the severity of psychosomatic disorders (F4) in the employee population of a hospital centre located in Norte de Santander, Colombia. Using a quantitative, descriptive-correlational, non-experimental design, a sample of 103 participants was analysed using the Occupational Burnout Scale (EDO) and a Psychosomatic Symptom Inventory. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that occupational burnout factors are robust predictors of psychosomatic symptoms, explaining between 28.5% and 52% of their total variance. The key findings of the regression indicated that Emotional Exhaustion (F1) is the strongest predictor of Pain (F4E) (β=0.567, p<0.001) and of the total severity of the disorders. On the other hand, Achievement Dissatisfaction (F3) was identified as the main driver of Anxiety (F4F) and sleep disorders (F4A) (β=0.536, p<0.001). Additionally, the sociodemographic variable Dependents was shown to act as a significant and unique predictor of pain somatisation and Psychoneurotic Symptoms. It is concluded that occupational burnout syndrome is a key and complex causal factor in the onset of psychosomatic disorders within the hospital population of the region. The originality of the study lay in quantifying the differential predictive capacity of each burnout factor on the different categories of somatisation and in identifying the burden of care as a unique sociodemographic risk factor in this context. These results underscore the urgent need to design intervention programmes focused on reducing emotional exhaustion and achievement dissatisfaction, as well as providing specific support to workers with high care responsibilities.