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Perceived Inequity: Does It Explain Burnout Among Medical Specialists? 1
Author(s) -
Smets Ellen M. A.,
Visser Mechteld R. M.,
Oort Frans J.,
Schaufeli Wilmar B.,
Haes Hanneke J. C. J. M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2004.tb02592.x
Subject(s) - intrapersonal communication , burnout , psychology , depersonalization , emotional exhaustion , social psychology , interpersonal communication , clinical psychology
This study investigated, among medical specialists ( N = 2,400), the association between perceived inequity in relationships at work (patients, colleagues, organization) and burnout, and the moderating role of communal orientation. Intrapersonal inequity, involving an internal standard of reference, and interpersonal inequity, taking colleagues as the standard of reference, were assessed. The adjusted response rate was 63%. Intrapersonal inequity affected all burnout dimensions: emotional exhaustion in all relationships at work, depersonalization in the relationship with patients, and reduced personal accomplishment in relationships with colleagues and the organization. Intrapersonal inequity explained more variance in burnout than did interpersonal inequity. Communal orientation did not moderate these associations. Hence, medical specialists are more vulnerable to burnout if they perceive their relationships at work to be inequitable, regardless of their tendency to help others. Organizations might, therefore, prevent burnout by creating a working environment that is supportive and appreciative.