Work-related and individual determinants of the three burnout dimensions

Applying the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory as a framework, this st udy among Dutch nurses (n = 156) first tested whether work-related demands, resources and self-esteem were differentially associated with the three bu rnout dimensions (emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment and deperso nalization), respectively. In addition, the current study investigated the interrelationships between the burnout dimensions and the hypothesized mode rating effect of self-esteem. As expected, emotional exhaustion was primari ly associated with job demands (i.e. work overload) and-to a slightly lower extent-with resources such as social support and self-esteem. In contrast, but also according to the authors' predictions, depersonalization and pers onal accomplishment were not associated with job demands. Emotional exhaust ion was, as predicted, an important correlate of depersonalization, whereas reduced personal accomplishment was negatively associated with self-esteem and with quality of work content, a resource. In line with earlier finding s but contrary to some recent propositions, reduced personal accomplishment was positively associated with depersonalization. Finally, self-esteem did not moderate the relationships between the selected work factors and the b urnout dimensions. The limitations of the study are discussed and direction s for future research are proposed.