Holistic Assessment of Factors Associated with Exhaustion, the Main Symptom of Burnout: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies

Abstract

Background: This meta-analysis summarized longitudinal findings pertaining to exhaustion's predictors. In so doing, our aim was ultimately to identify target factors for the prevention of burnout.

Methods: We searched for studies that (a) examined predictors of exhaustion longitudinally and (b) reported correlation coefficients as an effect estimate. We conducted our literature search in three databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase. We focused on studies published between January 1990 and November 2020. Predictors were grouped into families, subfamilies, and subgroups. A meta-analysis of z-transformed correlation coefficients (rho) was performed. The results were scrutinized in relation to studies' follow-up length.

Results: We included 65 studies assessing 242 predictors of different types captured across different occupations. Our findings highlighted mostly weak associations (rho < 0.30). For six predictors-Job control, Job resources, Interactions at work, Communication and leadership, Job attitudes, and Work-family interface-longer length of follow-up involved weaker associations with exhaustion. The quality of the evidence available was generally low.

Conclusions: The evidence available does not point to clear target factors for preventing burnout. The decrease in associations as the follow-up length increases may suggest a relatively short latency period, followed by recovery. Higher-quality cohorts should be conducted to better understand the etiology and course of burnout.

Keywords: exposure assessment; exposure-response relationship; latency period; outcome measurement; predictor; stress.

Figure 1

Flow-chart of the included studies.

Figure 2

Description of the grouping of predictors in four families and nine subfamilies, shown in italics.