Stress from work can often leave individuals feeling tired and overwhelmed, a condition known as burnout. This exhaustion is not limited to the workplace; according to a new study conducted at the University of Georgia, anxiety in other areas of life can exacerbate this issue further.
Burnout is an all-too-familiar experience for many people. Traditionally linked with work-related stressors such as high workload or lack of autonomy, research now suggests that external factors like financial pressure might also play a significant role.
The study involved surveying over 200 full-time employees in the United States to explore how current concerns about money management influence levels of burnout and job satisfaction. Researchers found that those who were more stressed regarding their finances reported higher rates of burnout, which, in turn, led to lower job satisfaction.
Camden Cusumano, a lead author and doctoral candidate at UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, drew parallels between this phenomenon and medical conditions. He explained that similar to how an injury in one part of the body can cause pain elsewhere, financial stress can manifest as reduced work performance.
Burnout manifests through three key signs: depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself or others), emotional exhaustion (resulting in sluggishness and fatigue), and a reduction in personal accomplishment. These symptoms collectively contribute to employees feeling tired and disengaged at their jobs, irrespective of the direct causes such as workload or autonomy issues.
To understand how stress outside work impacts job satisfaction, researchers conducted an online survey involving 217 full-time employees. The questions covered various aspects including current money-management stress, financial security in the future, burnout experiences, and job satisfaction levels. Results indicated a clear link between higher financial management stress and increased burnout rates.
The study also found that while past research has often examined different life domains separately (like work or family), there is significant spillover from one area to another. For instance, personal finances can affect how someone views their home life, and conversely, long working hours might lead to conflicts at home.
Furthermore, the researchers noted that expectations about future financial security play a direct role in job satisfaction. Even if an employee is currently experiencing burnout due to money management stress, believing their financial situation will improve could enhance their perception of their job positively.
The study’s findings suggest strategies for mitigating burnout and improving job satisfaction. Employees can take steps by being more aware of sources of financial stress in their lives and conserving resources related to financial well-being, which might help ease anxieties associated with work-related exhaustion.
Employers also have a crucial role to play. Many companies are offering financial counseling services to employees, demonstrating an understanding that finances can permeate various aspects of life. Programs focusing on current financial stress could reduce burnout rates among workers. Additionally, emphasizing how one’s job contributes positively to future financial security might directly improve job satisfaction.
If both employers and employees adopt these strategies while keeping in mind the unique ways different life domains impact each other, it can lead to more effective interventions that truly benefit their respective groups.
The study was published in the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health and co-authored by Dee Warmath from UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences. This research highlights a critical link between financial well-being and job satisfaction, offering valuable insights for both employees and employers alike.
