Purpose: Teachers and physicians experience
high levels of psychological strain in their professions.
Over long periods of time, improper
amounts of psychological strain can lead to
burnout. One possible source of improper
strain is a perceived imbalance between effort
and reward experienced in the workplace
(Effort-Reward-Imbalance – ERI). Although research
on men shows an association between
work-related gratification (compensation crises)
and health-related problems, the results
vary strongly among the studies. This analysis
examines the association between ERI and
the risk for burnout among female teachers
and hospital-employed female physicians.
Methods: The examinations were conducted
with 148 teachers (mean age: 42.2 ± 5.3 years)
and 150 physicians (mean age: 39.5 ± 6.4
years). The work-related effort-reward-ratio
(ERI-Ratio) was measured with the ERI-Questionnaire
(ERI-Q) and the burnout risk with the
Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS). Personal
characteristics were also measured, such
as inability to recover (FABA) and health-related
behaviour (sport, alcohol consumption,
tobacco consumption).
Results: The teachers had a significantly better
ERI-Ratio than the physicians (0.68 vs. 0.86;
p = 0.029). An ERI-Ratio representing a potentially
increased risk to health (ERI ≥ 1) was
observed among 5 % of teachers and 13 % of
physicians. No significant differences were
observed between the professional groups
for burnout (teachers: 1 %; physicians: 5 %) or
personal characteristics. Moderate correlations
were observed between ERI-Ratio and
burnout (r = 0.43 vs. 0.42) as well as between
ERI-Ratio and an inability to recover (r = 0.41
vs. 0.51). Subsequently, burnout risk and inability
to recover increased with increasing
ERI-Ratio, while sport activities decreased
(r = –0.25 vs. –0.10). Among the women with
an available ERI ≥ 1 in comparison to ERI < 1,
a 3-fold increased chance of burnout was observed
among both professional groups. In
addition, the teachers and physicians were
1.2 times, respectively 1.3 times more likely
to display an inability to recover.
Conclusion: The negative impact of an unfavourable
ERI on the risk for burnout and
the ability to recover could be substantiated.
Furthermore, an evaluation of work, health
and personal risks and resources is essential
for the development of adequate preventive
measures.
