THERE’S TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY: EXPANDING THE NOMOLOGICAL NETWORK OF BURNOUT THROUGH THE PERSON-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION

Abstract

Burnout is a psychological syndrome consisting of emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced personal accomplishment. It is associated with a depletion of intrinsic resources that results from prolonged exposure to work-related stress. Within the literature, it is well documented that the combination of elevated job demands and depleted resources is likely to lead to burnout. However, while this understanding emphasizes the environment, it fails to incorporate aspects of the person, like trait motivation. Trait motivation is an individual difference that influences how one interacts with or responds to the environment. Accordingly, the current studies expand the nomological network of burnout by exploring the impact of trait motivation on job demands, burnout, job satisfaction, and happiness. Based on the results presented, the relationship between job demands and burnout is not conditional on approach or avoidance motivation. Furthermore, the relationships between job demands, burnout, and happiness are not conditional on approach or avoidance motivation. However, the results support that the relationship between job demands and job satisfaction are conditional on avoidance motivation. Theoretical and practical implications of the studies are discussed.