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Gender differences in burnout among Dutch dentists
Author(s) -
Brake Hans te,
Bloemendal Evelien,
Hoogstraten Johan
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0528.2003.t01-1-00010.x
Subject(s) - depersonalization , burnout , medicine , emotional exhaustion , occupational burnout , clinical psychology , significant difference , occupational stress , demography , sociology
– Objectives: Differences between the sexes in the manifestation of burnout have been reported for different occupational groups. Although some gender‐specific explanations for this finding have been forwarded, there is a paucity of studies in which the relation with other work‐related gender differences is examined. The objective of this study was to analyze gender differences in burnout among dentists and to identify possible concomitant factors. Methods: Male ( n = 411) and female ( n = 81) Dutch dentists filled out the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) together with several health and work‐related questionnaires. Results: Results showed male dentists to report a higher score on the depersonalization dimension of the MBI than did female dentists. No gender differences were found on the other dimensions (i.e. emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment). Moreover, no gender‐related differences in experienced work‐stress or health‐related aspects were found. It was found, however, that male dentists put in working hours and see more patients per week when compared to female dentists. Also, a difference in mean age was found. Our main finding was that the difference in depersonalization disappears when controlling for working hours and age. Conclusions: Gender differences in burnout among dentists do exist. However, our results indicate that underlying factors, such as working hours, have a profound effect on these differences. These results can have direct practical consequences, for instance, in distinguishing between groups concerning the way burnout scores should be interpreted.