Hypothesis

A new definition of burnout syndrome based on Farber's proposal

Jesús Montero-Marín¹ , Javier García-Campayo¹ , Domingo Mosquera Mera² and Yolanda López del Hoyo³

¹  Department of Psychiatry, Miguel Servet University Hospital, University of Zaragoza, Spain

²  Spanish National University of Distance Education, Huesca, Spain

³  Department of Psychology, University of Zaragoza, Spain

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 2009, 4:31doi:10.1186/1745-6673-4-31

Published:	30 November 2009

Abstract

Background

Although diverse definitions have been construed for burnout syndrome, most authors consider it to be a single phenomenon, the result of chronic work-related stress. However, in order to enable specific intervention strategies to be adopted, it is first necessary to establish different profiles for the syndrome. In this respect, have been proposed three burnout types ("frenetic", "underchallenged" and "worn-out"), each of which requires different means of dealing with frustration in the workplace. This study is an attempt to define and systematize the properties that characterize this typology proposal.

Methods

For this purpose, the documents considering preliminary typology were examined by means of qualitative content analysis supported by grounded theory. Semiotic analysis was then performed on the core category resulting from the previous analysis.

Results

A classification criterion, made up of three different burnout subtypes ("frenetic", "underchallenged", and "worn-out") capable of integrating the entire proposal was formulated.

Discussion

Understanding the development of burnout syndrome, as a succession of stages characterized by the progressive diminishing of dedication to work, could serve for the establishment of specific therapies and for the prevention of the syndrome.