Effort-reward-imbalance, burnout, and physical pain mediate the relationship between overcommitment and depression in German Emergency Medical Technicians
[en] Background Overcommitment (OC) is highly prevalent in health care employees, and may predict depression
symptoms. The literature suggests that the relationship between OC and depression is mediated by Effort-Reward-
Imbalance (ERI), burnout and physical pain. This study tested a two-step mediation effect between OC and depression
by ERI in a first, and burnout and physical pain in a second step using a cohort of German Emergency Medical
Technicians (EMTs).
Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on a volunteer sample of 303 EMTs in Germany. OC and ERI were
assessed using the ERI questionnaire, burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory, physical pain with the Short Form
36, and depression with the BDI-II. The relationship between these variables was tested using a mediation analysis.
Results We found a partial mediation effect between OC and depression via ERI, burnout (emotional exhaustion,
personal accomplishment) and physical pain. The mediation effect of emotional exhaustion is significantly higher
than those of depersonalization and physical pain.
Conclusions The partial mediation effect suggests the validity of our model assumptions, but also indicates direct
relationships between variables (i.e. OC, ERI and depression). The identification of emotional exhaustion as key
mediator implies that prevention and intervention approaches in EMTs should be based on this indicator.
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior
Author, co-author :
Manns, Laura
VÖGELE, Claus ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) > Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences (DBCS) > Health and Behaviour
STAMMET, Pascal ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) > Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM) > Medical Education
SCHULZ, André ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) > Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences (DBCS) > Health and Behaviour
External co-authors :
no
Language :
English
Title :
Effort-reward-imbalance, burnout, and physical pain mediate the relationship between overcommitment and depression in German Emergency Medical Technicians
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