Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Burnout: Gender Aspects

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Burnout for Experts

Abstract

There has been a consistent growth of research on burnout in the four decades since the term was initially coined. Concurrently, there have been significant changes in the global work force. These include growth in the use of information technology, recurrent organizational restructuring, changes in labor contracts and work-time scheduling, as well as increasing numbers of older workers, female employees, and dual-earning couples. A further global trend has been the growing employee perception of job insecurity. There is emerging evidence to suggest that female employees may be affected by changes in their work environment differently and may be more vulnerable to experiencing burnout. Women may be more prone to experiencing a greater level of emotional exhaustion than men. The impact of how burnout and its dimensions have been conceptualized by researchers, the implications of research findings, and therapeutic options in relation to women are explored. Recommendations are made for future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahola, K., Honkonen, T., Isometsä, E., Kalimo, R., Nykyri, E., Koskinen, S., Aromaa, A., & Lönnqvist, J. (2006). Burnout in the general population. Results from the Finnish Health 2000 Study. Society of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 41, 11–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amanatullah, E. T., & Morris, M. W. (2010). Negotiating gender roles: Gender differences in assertive negotiating are mediated by women’s fear of backlash and attenuated when negotiating on behalf of others. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98, 256–257.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ashford, S. J. (1988). Individual strategies for coping with stress during organizational transitions. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 24, 19–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, A., Demerouti, E., & Schaufeli, W. (2002). Validation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-general survey: An internet study. Anxiety, Stress and Coping, 15, 245–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, A., Schaufeli, W., Leiter, M., & Taris, T. (2008). Work engagement: An emerging concept in occupational health psychology. Work and Stress, 22, 187–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bekker, M. H. J., Croon, M. A., & Bressers, B. (2005). Childcare involvement, job characteristics, gender and work attitudes as predictors of emotional exhaustion and sickness absence. Work and Stress, 19, 221–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benbow, S. (1998). Burnout: Current knowledge and relevance to old age psychiatry. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13, 520–526.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bez, Y., & Emhan, A. (2011). Psychological distress in women working in banks. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 3, 145–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bliksvær, T., & Helliesen, A. (1997). Sickness absence: A study of 11 LES countries. Norway: Norwegian Social Research, Mimeo NOVA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brough, P., & O’Driscoll, M. (2005). Work-family conflict and stress. In A. Antoniou & C. Cooper (Eds.), Research companion to organisational health psychology (pp. 346–365). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2008). Employed persons by detailed occupation, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. http://www.bls.gov/cps/wlf-table11-2009.pdf. Accessed 10 Sept 2009.

  • Burton, J. (2008). The business case for a healthy workplace. Industrial Accident Prevention Association. http://www.iapa.ca/pdf/fd_business_case_healthy_workplace.pdf. Accessed 15 Dec 2011.

  • Campbell, C., & Rothman, S. (2005). A psychometric assessment of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (General Survey) in a customer-service environment. Management Dynamics, 14, 16–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carson, J., Maal, S., Roche, S., Fagin, L., De Villiers, N., O’Malley, P., & Holloway, F. (1999). Burnout in mental health nurses: Much ado about nothing? Stress Medicine, 15, 127–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cox, T., Tisserand, M., & Taris, T. W. (2005). The conceptualizaton and measurement of burnout: Questions and directions. Work and Stress, 19, 187–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cox, T., Kuk, G., & Leiter, M. P. (2010). Burnout, health, work stress and organizational healthiness. In W. B. Schaufeli, C. Maslach, & T. Marek (Eds), Professional burnout: Recent developments in theory and research (pp. 117–197). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Danhof-Pont, M. B., van Veen, T., & Zitman, F. G. (2011). Biomarkers in burnout: A systematic review. Journal Psychosomatic Research, 70, 505–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, M., & Cooper, C. (1984). Occupational stress in female managers: A comparative study. Journal of Management Studies, 21, 185–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Witte, H., De Cuyper, N., Handaja, Y., Sverke, M., Näswall, K., & Hellgren, J. (2010). Associations between quantitative and qualitative job insecurity and well-being: A test in Belgian banks. International Studies of Management and Organization, 40, 40–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dienstbier, R. A. (1989). Arousal and physiological toughness: Implications for mental and physical health. Psychological Review, 96, 84–100.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2007). Pregnancy discrimination charges EEOC & FEPAs combined: FY 1997-FY2006. http://www.eeoc.govt/stats/pregnanc.html. Accessed 5 Dec 2011.

  • Evans, O., & Steptoe, A. (2002). The contribution of gender-role orientation, work factors and home stressors to psychological well-being and sickness absence in male- and female-dominated occupational groups. Social Science & Medicine, 54, 481–492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Field, S., & Bramwell, R. (1998). An investigation into the relationship between caring responsibilities and the levels of perceived pressure reported by female employees. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 71, 165–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. (1980). An analysis of coping in middle-aged community sample. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21, 219–239.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frankenhaeuser, M. (1991). The psychophysiology of workload, stress, and health: Comparison between the sexes. Annals of Behavioural Medicine, 13, 197–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freudenberger, H. J. (1974). Staff burnout. Journal of Social Issues, 30, 159–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goh, C. T., Koh, H. C., & Low, C. K. (1991). Gender effects on the job satisfaction of accountants in Singapore. Work and Stress, 5, 341–348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, F. (2009). Subjective employment insecurity around the world. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 2, 343–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenglass, E. R., Burke, R. J., & Ondrack, M. (1990). A gender-role perspective of coping and burnout. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 39, 5–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenhaus, J. H., & Beutell, N. J. (1985). Sources and conflict between work and family roles. The Academy of Management Review, 10, 76–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guppy, A., & Rick, J. (1996). The influences of gender and grade on perceived work stress and job satisfaction in white collar employees. Work and Stress, 10, 154–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hakanen, J., Schaufeli, W., & Ahola, K. (2008). The job demands-resources model: A three-year cross-lagged study of burnout, depression, commitment, and work engagement. Work and Stress, 22, 224–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, K., & Emslie, C. (1998). Men’s work, women’s work? Occupational sex roles and health. In K. Orth-Gomer, M. Chesney, & N. I. Wenger (Eds.), Women, stress and heart disease. Mahwah: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurst, T. E., & Hurst, M. H. (1997). Gender differences in mediation of severe occupational stress among correctional officers. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 22(1), 121–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Labor Office. (2008). Decent work for all. Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Mainpillars/WhatisDecentWork/lang-en/index.htm. Accessed 2 Dec 2011.

  • Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demier, O., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity and comorbidity of 12 months DSM-iv Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62, 617–627.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kristensen, T. S., Borritz, M., Villadsen, E., & Christensen, K. B. (2005). The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: A new tool for the assessment of burnout. Work and Stress, 19, 1996–2007.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landrine, H. (1988). Depression and stereotypes of women: Preliminary empirical analyses of the gender-role hypothesis. Sex Roles, 19, 527–541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenberg, P. A., Gibbons, T. A., Nanna, M. J., & Blumenthal, F. (1993). Physician detection of depression in medically ill elderly. The Journal of Aging and Mental Health, 13, 81–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindblom, K. M., Linton, S. J., Fedeli, C., & Bryngelsson, H. (2006). Burnout in the working population: Relations to psychosocial work factors. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 13, 51–69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lo, S. (2003). Perceptions of work-family conflict among married female professionals in Hong Kong. Personnel Review, 32, 376–390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Long, B. C., & Cox, R. C. (2000). Women’s way of coping with employment stress: A feminist contextual analysis. In P. Dewe, M. Leiter, & T. Cox (Eds.), Coping, health and organisations (pp. 109–123). London: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnusson Hanson, L. L., Theorell, T., Oxenstierna, G., Hyde, M., & Westerlund, H. (2008). Demand, control and social climate as predictors of emotional exhaustion symptoms in working Swedish men and women. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 36, 737–743.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marine, A., Ruotsalainen, J., Serra, C., & Verbeek, J. (2006). Preventing occupational stress in healthcare workers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4. Art. No.: CD002892. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002892.pub2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, T., & Kirkcaldy, B. (1998). Gender differences on the EPQ-R and attitudes to work. Personality and Individual Differences, 24, 1–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martocchio, J. J., & O’Leary, A. M. (1989). Sex differences in occupational stress: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 74, 495–501.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maslach, C., & Jackson, S. (1986). Maslach Burnout Inventory manual (2nd ed.). Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologist Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2008). Early predictors of job burnout and engagement. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 93, 498–512.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maslach, C., Jackson, S., & Leiter, M. (1996). Maslach Burnout Inventory manual (3rd ed.). Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologist Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W. B., & Leiter, M. P. (2001). Job burnout. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 397–422.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mastekaasa, A. (2000). Parenthood, gender, and sickness absence. Social Science and Medicine, 50, 1827–1842.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matlin, M. W. (2004). The psychology of women (5th ed.). Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mellsop, G., & Smith, B. (2007). Reflections on masculinity, culture and the diagnosis of depression. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41, 850–853.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muhonen, T., & Torkelson, E. (2001). A Swedish version of the COPE inventory. Lund Psychological Reports, 2, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulligan-Ferry, L., Soares, R., Combopiano, J., Cullen, J., & Riker, L. (2011). 2010 Catalyst census: Financial post 500 women senior officers and top earners. Catalyst (2010) http://www.catalyst.org/publication/467/2010-catalyst-census-financial-post-500-women-senior-officers-and-top-earners. Accessed 12 Sept 2011.

  • Nagase, Y., Uchiyama, M., Kaneita, Y., Li, L., Kaji, T., Takahashi, S., Konno, M., Mishima, K., Nishikawa, T., & Ohida, T. (2009). Coping strategies and their correlates with depression in the Japanese general population. Psychiatry Research, 168, 57–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, A. E., Mazzolab, J. J., Bauera, J., Kruegerc, J. R., & Spectora, P. E. (2011). Can work make you sick? A meta-analysis of the relationships between job stressors and physical symptoms. Work and Stress, 25, 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nomura, K., Yano, E., & Fukui, T. (2010). Gender differences in clinical confidence: A nationwide survey of resident physicians in Japan. Academic Medicine, 85, 647–653.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Norlund, S., Reuterwall, C., Höög, J., Lindahl, B., Janlert, U., & Birgander, L. S. (2010). Burnout, working conditions and gender – results from the northern Sweden MONICA Study. BMC Public Health,10, 326. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/326.

  • O’Drisscoll, M., Brough, P., & Biggs, A. (2007). Work-family balance: Concepts, implications and interventions. In J. Houdmont & S. McIntyre (Eds.), Occupational health psychology: European perspectives on research, education and practice (pp. 193–217). Portugal: ISMAI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pines, A., & Aronson, E. (1988). Career burnout: Causes and cures. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poulin, J. E., & Walter, C. A. (1993). Burnout in gerontological social work. Social Work, 38, 305–310.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Purvanova, R. K., & Muros, J. P. (2010). Gender differences in burnout: A meta-analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 77, 168–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenblatt, Z., Talmud, I., & Ruvio, A. (1999). A gender-based framework of the experience of job insecurity and its effects on work attitudes. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 8, 197–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosin, H. M., & Korabik, K. (1991). Workplace variables, affective responses, and intention to leave among women managers. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 64, 317–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaufeli, W. (2003). Past performance and future perspectives of burnout research. South African Journal of Industrial Psychology, 29, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaufeli, W., & Enzmann, D. (1998). The burnout companion to study and practice: A critical analysis. London: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaufeli, W. B., & Taris, T. W. (2005). Commentary: The conceptualisation and measurement of burnout: Common ground and worlds apart. Work and Stress, 19, 256–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaufeli, W., Enzmann, D., & Girault, N. (1993). Measurement of burnout: A review. In W. Schaufeli, C. Maslach, & T. Marek (Eds.), Professional burnout: Recent developments in theory and research (pp. 199–212). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparks, K., Faragher, B., & Cooper, C. L. (2001). Well-being and occupational health in the 21st century workplace. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 74, 489–509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spector, P. E. (1998). A control model of the job stress process. In C. L. Copper (Ed.), Theories of organisational stress (pp. 153–169). London: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprock, J., & Yoder, C. Y. (1997). Women and depression: An update on the report of the APA task force. Sex Roles, 36, 269–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulsky, L., & Smith, C. (2005). Work stress. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swedish Work Environment Authority. (2008). Work related disorders 2008 (Arbetosorasakade besvAr, Vol. 5). Orebro: SCB-Tryck.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamres, L. K., Janicki, D., & Helgeson, V. S. (2002). Sex differences in coping behaviour: A meta-analytic review and an examination of relative coping. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Review, 6, 2–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thommasen, H., Lavanchy, M., Connelly, I., Berkowitz, J., & Grzybowski, S. (2001). Mental health, job satisfaction, and intention to relocate. Opinions of physicians in rural British Columbia. Canadian Family Physician, 47, 737–744.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Toker, S., Shirom, A., Shapira, I., Berliner, S., & Melamed, S. (2005). The association between burnout, depression, anxiety, and inflammation biomarkers: C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in men and women. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 10, 344–362.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vagg, P. R., Spielberger, C. D., & Wasala, C. F. (2002). Effects of organizational level and gender on stress in the workplace. International Journal of Stress Management, 9, 243–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Emmerik, I. J. H. (2002). Gender differences in the effects of coping assistance on the reduction of burnout in academic staff. Work and Stress, 6, 251–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Hooff, M. L. M., Geurts, S. A. E., Kompier, M. A. J., & Taris, T. W. (2006). Work–home interference: How does it manifest itself from day to day? Work and Stress, 20, 145–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Horn, J. E., Schaufeli, W. B., Greenglass, E. R., & Burke, R. J. (1997). A Canadian-Dutch comparison of teachers’ burnout. Psychological Reports, 81, 371–382.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Wyk, B., & Pillay-Van Wyk, V. (2010). Preventive staff-support interventions for health workers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3. Art. No. D003541. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003541.pub2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, J. E., Oakley Browne, M. A., Scott, K. M., McGee, M. A., Baxter, J., Kokaua, J., & The New Zealand Mental Health Survey Research Team. (2006). Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey: Overview of methods and findings. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 40, 835–844.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wrobel, N. H. (1993). Effects of patient age and gender on clinical decisions. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 24, 206–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Waikato Clinical School, University of Auckland, 3200, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand

    Shailesh Kumar & Graham Mellsop

Authors
  1. Shailesh Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Graham Mellsop
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shailesh Kumar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Peter-Merian-Str. 58, Basel, 4002, Switzerland

    Sabine Bährer-Kohler

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kumar, S., Mellsop, G. (2013). Burnout: Gender Aspects. In: Bährer-Kohler, S. (eds) Burnout for Experts. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4391-9_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation