Features of emotional burnout in health care professionals and manifestations of character accentuation

Introduction. The occupational activity of health care professionals’ (HCP) is associated with high-intensity workload, which can contribute to mental deformation and the development of emotional burnout (EB).

The purpose of the study is to examine character accentuations and their relationship with EB in HCP.

Materials and methods. The psychometric online study of character accentuations was carried out using the Leonhard-Shmishek questionnaire. Research results are displayed as a median, upper, and lower quartiles, and extensive indicators. The comparison of indicators was performed using the χ² criterion, the relationship between features was assessed using correlation analysis, and the probability of EB formation was studied using contingency table analysis and relative risk calculations.

Results. The emotive, cyclothymic, and stuck types prevail in the structure of character accentuations in HCP. Features of the stuck, excitable, cyclothymic, affective-exalted, emotive types are the most pronounced in HCP, whom all three phases of EB have been formed or are in the process of formation. The greatest number of connections was found between the symptom of self dissatisfaction and the types of character accentuation. The greatest strength of connections is noted between the excitable accentuation and the symptom of experience of traumatic circumstances, self dissatisfaction, being trapped in a cage, anxiety, and depression, expanding the sphere of saving emotions, reduction of occupational responsibilities, emotional distance; dysthymic – self dissatisfaction, being trapped in a cage, anxiety and depression. It has been established that the severity of the properties of the excitable, dysthymic and affective-exalted types of accentuation increases the risk of forming the Tension phase by 1.8-3.1 times; the severity of the features of the emotive type increases the probability of forming the Resistance phase by 1.9 times.

Limitations. The study is one-stage, performed with the participation of one professional group.

Conclusion. It has been established that individuals with different features of character have different levels of development of EB phases and symptoms. The obtained data emphasize the importance of understanding personal factors in the context of occupational stress, which can help to better understand the mechanisms underlying burnout.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was performed in accordance with ethical standards and approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (conclusion No. 3 dated February 16, 2021, conclusion No. 5 dated March 21, 2023). All participants gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.

Contribution:
Pankov V.A. – concept and design of the study, collection of material, editing, approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Kuleshova M.V. – concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing text, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The work was performed within the funds allocated for the implementation of the State task for the East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research.

Received: May 7, 2025 / Accepted: June 26, 2025 / Published: August 20, 2025

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