Coping with burnout symptoms through task significance in professionals working with individuals with intellectual disability

• Autores: Vicente Martínez Tur, Yolanda Estreder Ortí, María Inés Tomás Marco, Esther Gracia Grau, Carolina Moliner Cantos
• Localización: Revista de psicología del trabajo y de las organizaciones = Journal of work and organizational psychology, ISSN 1576-5962, Vol. 37, Nº 1, 2021, págs. 50-57
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.5093/jwop2021a2
• Títulos paralelos:
  • El afrontamiento de los síntomas de burnout a través del significado de la tarea en profesionales que trabajan con personas con discapacidad intelectual
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo  1    2 (pdf) 
• Resumen
  • español

    Este estudio puso a prueba una intervención que vincula el significado de la tarea (el trabajo de uno tiene un impacto positivo en otras personas) con los síntomas de burnout de los profesionales que trabajan en organizaciones para personas con discapacidad intelectual. Los profesionales asignados a la condición experimental participaron en equipos diseñados para mejorar el impacto positivo de su trabajo en los demás (significado de la tarea). Para ello, los equipos se centraron en una tarea para mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas con discapacidad intelectual. Los profesionales asignados a la condición control no participaron en estos equipos y continuaron con su trabajo habitual. Todos los profesionales que participaron respondieron un cuestionario sobre burnout antes y después de la intervención. Los ANOVA mixtos indicaron que los profesionales que participaron en los equipos redujeron sus síntomas de agotamiento (comparando las puntuaciones pre y post intervención) y mantuvieron estables sus niveles de cinismo. Los profesionales asignados a la condición de control aumentaron sus síntomas de cinismo. Se concluye comentando las implicaciones teóricas y prácticas.

  • English

    This study examined an intervention that links task significance (one’s job has a positive impact on other people) to burnout symptoms of professionals working in organizations for individuals with intellectual disability. Professionals assigned to the experimental condition participated in teams designed to enhance the positive impact of their work on others (task significance). To do so, teams focused on a task to improve the quality of life of individuals with intellectual disability. Professionals assigned to the control condition did not participate in these teams, and they continued with their usual work. All the participating professionals answered a questionnaire about burnout before and after the intervention. Mixed ANOVA indicated that professionals who participated in teams reduced their exhaustion symptoms (comparing pre vs. post intervention scores) and kept their cynicism levels stable. Professionals assigned to the control condition increased their cynicism symptoms. We conclude with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications.

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