Work

Job burnout among Polish dentists: the role of sensory processing sensitivity and emotional intelligence

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Job strain in dentistry makes the profession highly susceptible to occupational burnout. People with high sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) perceive workplace as more stressful and more demanding. Emotional intelligence (EI) is both a trait and an ability, which helps individuals adapt to the environment and reduces burnout. This study examines the relationship between SPS and burnout among Polish dentists and whether EI may be a protective factor against burnout in a group of highly sensitive dentists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: (OLBI), and the demographic data questionnaire. RESULTS: Moderated hierarchical regression analyses showed that SPS can predict burnout factors exhaustion (p < 0.001) and disengagement (p = 0.012). Higher trait SPS was associated with higher burnout factors. Emotional intelligence can predict burnout factors exhaustion (p < 0.001) and disengagement (p < 0.001). Higher trait EI was associated with lower burnout factors. Also it turned out that EI moderates the relationship between SPS and burnout factor exhaustion (p = 0.015). The findings illustrated reverse buffering effect. UNIANOVA analyses showed that EI may have a protective effect on burnout, although this effect decreases for exhaustion and disappears for disengagement in the group of highly sensitive dentists. CONCLUSIONS: Sensory processing sensitivity can help to identify dentists who are at risk to develop burnout. Training to increase EI levels can be implemented to reduce the risk of burnout among dentists, although it appears to be insufficient among those at higher risk, i.e., the highly sensitive dentists. This shows the importance of searching for other possible factors that could protect highly sensitive dentists from burnout. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(5):524-34.

Source: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

DOI: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02488

Authors: Beata Pszczółkowska, Sylwiusz Retowski

Institution: Uniwersytet SWPS

Language: English

Topic: Stress and Burnout Research

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $701