Correlation between Burnout and Meaning in Life in Doctors in Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Study: Burnout and Meaning in Life in Doctors in Pakistan

Samiya Iqbal

doi:10.54393/pbmj.v5i7.612

Authors

Samiya Iqbal Department of Psychiatry, Kahuta Research Laboratory (KRL) Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v5i7.612

Keywords:

Burnout, Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, Meaning in Life, Purpose in Life, Doctors.

Abstract

According to ICD-11, burnout is a syndrome caused by poorly managed chronic workplace stress that is characterized by feelings of depleted energy or exhaustion, increased mental distance from the job one has, or feeling negative or cynical about it, as well as a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. Objective: To assess the correlation between Burnout, its dimensions and Meaning in Life in early career doctors in Pakistan. Methods: Online questionnaire containing a demographic survey, Purpose in Life test and Maslach Burnout Inventory, Human Services Survey was circulated among early career doctors. Responses were analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: 135 doctors (34.6%) reported burnout while 253 (64.9%) did not. Doctors who reported burnout had significantly less meaning in life (M = 59.39, SD = 12.57) than those who did not (M = 74.83, SD = 13.68); t (386) = 10.883, p <0.01. A significant negative correlation was found between meaning in life and emotional exhaustion, r (386) = -.565, p = 0.001 and between meaning in life and depersonalization, r (386) = -.452, p = 0.001. Meaning in life and personal accomplishment were significantly positively correlated, r (386) = .581, p = 0.001. Conclusion: Doctors who have greater meaning in life experience less burnout. Meaning centered interventions can help combat the problem.

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