Vasco F. J. Cumbe
Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Sofala Provincial Health Directorate, Beira, Mozambique.
Andrea N. Pala
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
António J. P. Palha
Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, FMUP.
Ana R. P. Gaio
Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, FCUP.
Manuel F. Esteves
Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, FMUP.
Jair de Jesus Mari
Department of Psychiatry, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Milton Wainberg
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract:
Background: Burnout is a multidimensional syndrome and includes symptoms of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment at work. Oncology health care providers are at high risk to develop symptoms of burnout because of work-related stressors. Adaptive coping strategies adopted to deal with stressors may prevent the development of burnout. Objective: The present study aims to assess the association between burnout, functional coping strategies, and occupational factors in a sample of oncology providers, mostly nurses. Methods: Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Problem Solving Inventory “Inventário de Resolução de Problemas” were administered. Descriptive, correlational, and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: The study showed that emotional exhaustion correlated with lower levels of adaptive coping, less years of experience in Oncology, and a greater amount of hours worked per week. Personal accomplishment was associated with the adaptive coping strategies. No further statistically significant associations were identified. Discussion: Our findings support the importance of adaptive coping strategies in order to prevent symptoms of burnout when health professionals face potentially stressful occupational factors. Training aimed at improving adaptive coping skills may prevent burnout syndrome for health care professionals working in Oncology.
Keywords:Burnout, oncology, health professionals, coping strategies.