Study on Relationship between Job Burnout with Social Support and Self-Esteem in Health Center Employees of Mashhad after Implementation of Family Physician Program

Job burnout is a syndrome consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. This study was done to assess job burnout in personnel of healthcare centers of Mashhad after the establishment of the family physician program to find out its relationship with social support and self-esteem. In this descriptive analytical study, personnel of 30 health centers in Mashhad were rendomly selected to answer to the standard questionnaires which include demographic features, Aizeng self-confidence questionnaire, Cassidy social support scale and Maslach burnout inventory. Overall, 285 health center employees completed the survey instrument. Seventy-three percent of respondents were women. Mean score of the personal accomplishment aspect of burnout was 33.8 ± 10.4, in emotional exhaustion was 17.9 ± 10.8 and in depersonalization was 4.7 ± 4.8. In most cases, low emotional exhaustion (50.2%), low depersonalization (97.2%) and a high personal accomplishment (79.3%) were found. Between social support and self-esteem of employees a significant correlation was established (r = 0.177, P = 0.03). There was no significant relationship between dimensions of burnout and self-confidence, and social support. Between emotional exhaustion, with variables such as education level, employment status and smoking habits a statistically significant relationship was found (P < 0.05). Between personal accomplishment and the variables of place of employment, education, smoking habits, a significant association was also found (P < 0.05). In this study, the emotional exhaustion was moderate, depersonalization was low and personal accomplishment was moderate in employees of health centers. It is suggested to consider coping strategies to minimize and control occupational stressors.