Exposure to information technology and its relation to burnout

This paper investigates-in a sample of 202 Spanish employees-the hypothesis that the impact of the exposure to technology on burnout is mediated by th e appraisal of technology. In addition, the factorial validity of the Masla ch Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MGI-GS) is studied. The hypothesized t hree-factor-model of the MBI-GS (i.e. exhaustion, cynicism and professional efficacy) was not replicated; instead a four-factor model (i.e. exhaustion , cynicism, self-confidence and goal-attainment) fitted better to the data. Results from Structural Equation Modelling confirmed the hypothesis that t he impact on burnout of the exposure to technology (in terms of time and fr equency of use of computer aided technology) is mediated by the appraisal o f technology. The higher the exposure, the more positive the appraisal and the lower the burnout levels (i.e. less cynicism, more self-confidence and a greater sense of goal attainment). No such effect was demonstrated for ex haustion. Limitations of the study and future research directions are discu ssed.