RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HARDINESS AND RISK OF BURNOUT IN A SAMPLE OF 92 NURSES WORKING IN ONCOLOGY AND AIDS WARDS

Background: The present study tested the hypothesis that particular pe rsonality dispositions act as resistance resources in the encounter wi th stressful life events. Methods: The sample consisted of 100 student nurses working in critical areas (oncology and AIDS). At the beginnin g of the 2nd year course subjects were administered the Kobasa Hardine ss Scale and at the end of the year the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Res ults: Higher hardiness levels at the beginning of the course were asso ciated with lower emotional exhaustion and higher personal achievement scores at the end. As predicted, findings show hardiness scores to be predictive of the risk of burnout. Conclusions: A screening of person ality traits could be useful in preventing the risk of burnout in nurs es working in critical areas.