Burnout detector reveals which people will likely hit the wall

TRONDHEIM, Norway — Burnout affects millions of people worldwide. The condition, marked by extreme mental and physical exhaustion linked to the workplace, builds up over time, but is there a way to prevent it? Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) are developing a tool to identify people who are at risk of burning out before they hit that proverbial wall.

Burnout is characterized by symptoms such as mental fatigue, a lack of enthusiasm for work, difficulty concentrating, and uncharacteristic overreactions in the workplace. The condition not only affects the individual’s health, leading to issues like cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, and depression, but it also impacts organizational productivity through increased absenteeism and loss of skilled workers.

The urgency to address burnout stems from its far-reaching implications on both personal and professional levels.

“Not addressing the risk of employee burnout in time can have long-term consequences,” says study author Leon De Beer, an associate professor of work and organizational psychology at NTNU’s Department of Psychology, in a university release.

To combat this, De Beer and his colleagues from the Healthy Workplaces research group have developed a novel tool aimed at identifying individuals at risk of burnout before it escalates. This tool, known as the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), has been tested in a study involving 500 Norwegian workers, offering promising results for its effectiveness in detecting early signs of the condition.

BAT focuses on four main groups of risk factors: exhaustion, mental distancing, cognitive impairment, and emotional impairment. Unlike previous methods, which lacked the detail necessary for both practical and research applications, BAT provides a comprehensive measure of burnout risk factors. Currently, there is no international standard for assessing burnout, making the development of BAT a significant step forward.

Burnout extends beyond just being a workplace syndrome. It also encompasses the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance. The effects of burnout do not cease when the workday ends. Instead, they can permeate other aspects of life, contributing to a cycle of stress and exhaustion that can last for years if not properly addressed.

Researchers underscore the necessity of not only treating individuals but also implementing organizational changes to ensure that work demands do not surpass the resources and support available to employees.

“We can deal with burnout through individual treatment, but it is of little use if people return to a workplace where the demands are too high and there are few resources. It is then highly likely that the employee will become ill again,” notes Marit Christensen, professor in NTNU’s Department of Psychology. “Therefore, it is important to create good working conditions and structures that safeguard the health of employees.”

Norway’s performance in terms of work-related mental health is comparable to the European Union average, with a somewhat better balance between work and life, according to the study. However, the true international standing of Norway in relation to burnout prevalence will be clearer once results from other countries participating in BAT studies are compiled.

The BAT tool, which has proven effective regardless of gender and aims to be culturally independent, offers a preliminary online version for individuals to assess their risk of burnout. This self-assessment is designed for educational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or medical advice. Those concerned about work-related stress are encouraged to seek guidance from healthcare professionals.

The study is published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology.