Does role stress predict burnout over time among health care professionals?

The main objective of this study is to test the effects over time of three role stress variables (role conflict, role ambiguity and role overload) on the three burnout dimensions (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and p ersonal accomplishment). Based on theoretical models on burnout and on meta -analytical research, it is hypothesized that the three role stress variabl es will predict changes over time in emotional exhaustion and depersonaliza tion, but not in personal accomplishment. The results obtained by means of hierarchical regression analysis partially support the hypothesis. The thre e role stress variables predict emotional exhaustion over time. Role confli ct and role overload predict depersonalization over time. Finally, contrary to expectations, role ambiguity predicts personal accomplishment over time .