Antonovsky A, Danon R, Schiff M, Shelef L. Predicting mental burnout among Israeli Home Front Command soldiers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Promot Int 2022;
37:daab036. [PMID:
34279594 PMCID:
PMC8344459 DOI:
10.1093/heapro/daab036]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The present study examined personality, situational and organizational predictors of burnout during COVID-19 in a military setting, based on the salutogenic theory of health (Antonovsky, 1987).
METHOD
Questionnaires were completed by 116 reserve Israeli Home Front Command medical staff (71% males). Background variables (e.g., gender), personality variables (self-efficacy and sense of coherence - SOC), situational variables (state-anxiety, self-rated health and sense of threat) and organizational variables (satisfaction with military's and government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis) were measured as predictors of burnout.
RESULTS
Females had higher levels of state anxiety and burnout compared to males. Females also reported a lower level of satisfaction with the military's handling of the COVID-19 crisis than males. SOC and state anxiety were the only statistically significant predictors of burnout after controlling for sociodemographic variables. The entire model explained 59.4% of the burnout variance.
CONCLUSION
In accordance with salutogenic theory, SOC is associated with active adaptation through use of generalized and specific resistance resources to avoid burnout in a stressful milieu. Psychological support, psychoeducation and simulation training are offered to increase manageability in crisis situations.
LIMITATIONS
Following a large dropout rate due to being quarantined, the final sample size was much smaller than planned. Also, although previous longitudinal studies have found SOC to be a causal factor in burnout, the present cross-sectional design limits such conclusions.
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