The final years of university study are associated with greater burnout than the early years of a career.
Burnout is a psychological syndrome related to prolonged stress at work and is often defined as the experience of exhaustion, cynicism and low professional efficacy. Researchers at the University of Adelaide explored the transition from study to work and the potential impact of student burnout on later work burnout. Two hundred and sixty participants studying in nursing, social work, occupational therapy or psychology were recruited and evaluated for burnout across three time-points; the first evaluation during their studies, and the second and third evaluations in their first two years of work.
Contrary to the researchers' prediction, participants were more likely to report burnout in their final year of study than in their first years of work. Exhaustion and cynicism during the final year of study both predicted exhaustion and cynicism in the workplace, controlling for factors such as other aspects of mental health. The authors highlight the importance of exploring and addressing burnout in university settings which may confer vulnerability to early career burnout in the field.
doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2017.1344827
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