Work-Related Determinants of Burnout in a Nationally Representative Sample of German Employees: Results From the Study on Mental Health at Work.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to present first representative data on burnout measured as exhaustion in German employees. Data were taken from the Study on Mental Health at Work (n = 4058). Computer-assisted personal interviews were conducted in 2011 to 2012. Multiple linear regression models were estimated to investigate the association between work-related and personal variables and burnout. Severe burnout was detected in nearly 3% of employees. Job demands were associated with higher burnout scores, more resources with lower scores. Independent of personal factors, higher quantitative demands (men: regression coefficient [β] = 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16 to 0.23; women: β = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.27) was identified as the strongest predictor of burnout measured as exhaustion. The model explained 28% to 33% of the total variance. Quantitative demands seem to be important risk factors for burnout independent of critical life events and general self-efficacy.