Effort–reward ratio, over-commitment and burnout: a cross-sectional study among Vietnamese healthcare professionals

Abstract

In an effort to understand burnout, this study assesses the associations between effort–reward ratio, over-commitment and burnout among healthcare professionals. This study applies cross-sectional design using self-reported questionnaires. A total of 1162 doctors and nurses from 15 hospitals in Vietnam voluntarily participated in this survey. The questionnaire is composed of three parts: (1) questions of demographic and work-related information; (2) the 22-items version of the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (Siegrist et al., 2004); and (3) the 22-items Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Service Survey-Medical Personal (Maslach & Jackson, 1986). Descriptive analysis, linear regression and structural equation model (SEM) are conducted to examine variables and the relations between them. Over-commitment and effort–reward ratio are related to all dimensions of burnout. Over-commitment is also positively related to effort–reward ratio. SEM analysis suggests that effort–reward ratio mediates the relationship between over-commitment and burnout. This study supports the effort–reward theory and further suggests that effort–reward imbalance and over-commitment are significantly related to burnout level among healthcare professionals. Over-commitment can also predict employees’ perceived effort–reward ratio. The study hence contributes some practical suggestions for organizational practitioners in working with burnout of healthcare professionals.

Keywords:

• Effort–reward imbalance
• over-commitment
• burnout
• healthcare professionals

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Whether or not how healthcare professionals perceive the ratio between the effort they pay and the reward they receive in workplace relates to their levels of over-commitment and burnout? Surveying 1162 healthcare professionals working at 15 hospitals in Vietnam, this paper documented that the more healthcare professionals perceive a negative imbalance between effort and reward, the more they feel burnout. Overcommitment – a personal characteristics - is also found positively related to the increase of burnout among them. Interestingly, SEM analysis suggests that effort-reward ratio mediates the relationship between over-commitment and burnout, meaning that over-commitment may be indirectly related to burnout by increasing the employees’ perceived effort-reward imbalance. This study, therefore, supports the notion that psychological characteristics, in addition to work conditions and organizational structures, is a powerful factor explaining workers’ vulnerability to stress and burnout. The findings hence contribute some practical implications for organizational practitioners in working with burnout of healthcare professionals.

Disclosure statement

The author(s) declared no potentialconflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Data Availability Statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) under grant number [501.02-2020.01];

Notes on contributors

Bui Thi Hong Thai

Associate Professor, Dr. phil., Bui Thi Hong Thai is a Psychology lecturer and researcher. She is also working as an independent counseling psychologist. Both of her research interests and counseling service focus on adults’ mental health.

Nguyen Thi Nhu Trang

Associate Professor, Dr. phil., Nguyen Thi Nhu Trang is a Social Work lecturer and researcher. Her research interests include adolescents and family, delinquency and mental health. She also provides counseling services for adolescents with stress or depression.

Vu Thy Cam

Dr. Vu Thy Cam is a psychiatrist. Her research interest and practice focus on issues related to stress and depression.

Le Thu Trang

Dr. phil., Le Thu Trang is a lecturer and researcher whose work focuses on psychological counseling for prisoners in prisons.

Pham Thi Huyen Trang

Pham Thi Huyen Trang is a Social Work lecturer. Her research interests include social work ethics, social work with people with disability and social work in hospital settings.