Contingent self-esteem, stressors and burnout in working women and men

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Blom, Victoria

Affiliations: Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, SE 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel.: +46 8 16 38 20; Fax: +46 8 15 93 42; E-mail: victoria.blom@psychology.su.se

Abstract: Objective: A high work involvement is considered central in the burnout process. Yet, research investigating how high work involvement and psychosocial stressors relate to burnout is scarce. High involvement in terms of performance-based self-esteem (PBSE) refers to individuals' strivings to validate self-worth by achievements, a disposition linked to poor health. The aim of the present study was to examine longitudinally PBSE in relation to burnout while also taking into account work- and private life stressors. Participants: The sample consisted of 2121 working women and men. Methods: Main- and mediation effects were investigated using hierarchical regression analysis. Results: The results showed performance-based self-esteem mediated partially between the stressors and burnout. Performance-based self-esteem was the strongest predictor of burnout over time, followed by private life stressors. Women experienced more work stress than did men. Men had stronger associations between work stressors and burnout, while women had stronger associations between performance-based self-esteem and burnout. Conclusions: Individual characteristics along with both private life and work stressors are important predictors of burnout. Factors associated with burnout differ somewhat between women and men.

Keywords: Gender, mediation, performance-based self-esteem

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1366

Journal: Work, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 123-131, 2012