The mediating effect of self compassion in the relationship between job stress and burnout levels among employees

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the role of self-compassion as a mediator in the relationship between job stress and burnout among employees. While job stress is widely recognized as a critical factor leading to burnout, it has been suggested that self-compassion may be associated with a reduction in these negative effects. Method: Participants were 429 actively employed adults living in Turkey (50.6% female). The data were gathered using an online administration of standardized psychological scales, that is, Job Stressor Appraisal Scale, Copenhagen Burnout Scale, and Self-Compassion Scale. Four dimensions of work stress "Role and Workload, Role Inadequacy, Organizational Rules & Practices, and Subordinate Relations" are taken into consideration in the volumetric model. Path analysis with bootstrapping (5,000 resamples) was implemented using Mplus statistical software, with gender, economic condition, and way of working during COVID-19 as covariates. Findings: The model fit was acceptable in path analysis. Role and workload and role inadequacy had a significant direct impact on burnout. Self-compassion had a significant mediating impact on the relationship between role and workload and burnout and the relationship between role inadequacy and burnout. Conversely, for organizational rules and practices and subordinate relations, both direct and mediating effects were non-significant. The model accounted for 21% and 52% for variance in self-compassion and burnout, respectively. Conclusion: This study emphasises the mediating role of self-compassion in the effect of job stressors on burnout. These findings suggest that interventions promoting self-compassion in the workplace may be effective in reducing employee burnout.