Resident Burnout may be Correlated with Immature and Neurotic Ego Defenses in a Sample from Turkey

Özet

Objective: This study aimed to examine the levels of burnout syndrome in residents and demonstrate the relationship between burnout and sociodemographic variables. We also aimed to show whether the use of immature and neurotic defenses were related to burnout syndrome. Methods: We aimed to include all 156 residents who were working at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Imam University’s Medical School Hospital during October 2017. A sociodemographic data form, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Defense Style Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Inventories were administered to all participants. Results: Higher MBI-Emotional Exhaustion (EE) scores were associated with an increased number of night shifts, being unwilling to train at the selected specialty, and increasing working hours. There were significant correlations between mature defense mechanism scores and MBI-Personal Accomplishment (PA) scores as well as immature defense mechanism scores and MBI-EE and MBI-Depersonalization (DP) scores. Conclusions: A higher rate of burnout was encountered with the increased workload of residents. The increased use of immature defense mechanisms increases the severity of these symptoms. To be able to combat this situation; it is necessary to organize training modules on sound defense strategies against the difficulties in work environment and to set limitations on working prolonged hours.