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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COPING STRATEGIES AND BURNOUT IN MIDWIVES
Abstract
Introduction: The development of professional burnout is influenced by numerous intrapersonal and situational factors, such as length of practice or satisfaction with health and private life. The results of some studies suggest that coping style may be another such factor. The aim of the present study was to assess the scale of professional burnout among midwives and to determine the relationships between coping styles and burnout symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with the research sample, which consisted of 194 midwives (females, age 39.48±11.2; mean length of practice 17.68±12.44). The Brief COPE questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory were used. Results: In our study, 67.7% of the participants reported moderate to high emotional exhaustion; 88% reported moderate to high depersonalization and 57.6% reported low personal accomplishment. All of emotion-focused and avoidance-focused coping strategies correlated positively with emotional exhaustion. No correlation was found between burnout symptoms and problem-focused coping, except for acceptance, which was positively correlated with emotional exhaustion. On the other hand, seeking emotional support, planning and behavioural disengagement were positively associated to higher personal accomplishment. Conclusion: The reported symptoms of burnout emphasize the need for directing attention toward the welfare and mental health of midwives to enable them to provide more effective care for their patients. Development of more adaptive coping strategies may also help midwives encounter the adverse effects of occupational stress.
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