[Attachment Representation and Emotion Regulation in Patients with Burnout Syndrome]

Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol. 2016 Jun;66(6):227-34. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-106729. Epub 2016 Jun 10.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Objective: Burnout describes a syndrome of exhaustion resulting from insufficient coping with work-related distress. We investigated if patients that are being clinically treated for burnout show insecure and unresolved attachment representation more often compared with healthy controls.

Methods: 50 out of 60 consecutive burnout patients participated in the study. Mental representation of attachment was measured by using the Adult Attachment Interview. Additionally, we administered the Self Report Questionnaire to Assess Emotional Experience and Emotion Regulation and several burnout specific questionnaires. A population sample was used as control group.

Results: Burnout patients were classified as insecurely attached significantly more often than controls. Unresolved attachment status concerning loss or trauma was found significantly more often within the burnout sample. Patients with insecure attachment representation reported a lower subjective significance of work. Patients with avoidant insecure attachment showed more depersonalisation. Patients with unresolved loss/trauma reported less social support. They showed more passive-negative emotion experience and emotion regulation characterized by externalization.

Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that an insecure or unresolved attachment representation might constitute an intrapersonal risk factor for the development of burnout syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burnout, Professional / diagnosis*
  • Burnout, Professional / psychology*
  • Burnout, Professional / therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Emotional Intelligence*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Admission
  • Psychotherapy, Group
  • Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic
  • Reactive Attachment Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Reactive Attachment Disorder / psychology*
  • Reactive Attachment Disorder / therapy
  • Somatoform Disorders / diagnosis
  • Somatoform Disorders / psychology
  • Somatoform Disorders / therapy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires