Personality traits and its correlation to burnout in female nurses

BACKGROUND: Few Indian studies have deliberated on the role of personality traits in perceived stress and burnout among female nurses employed in the government sector. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 600 female nurses employed in 30 government hospitals of India. Two hundred and ninety-eight valid questionnaires received with demographic data, NEO Five-Factor Inventory scores, Perceived Stress Scale-10, and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory scores were analyzed using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Trait neuroticism scores had modest positive correlation for personal burnout (R(2): 0.32, F: 138.68), work-related burnout (R(2): 0.22, F: 84.09), and overall burnout scores (R(2): 0.30, F: 128.09). Extraversion scores had low negative correlation with personal burnout (R(2): 0.08, F: 27.22, P < 0.00), work-related burnout (R(2): 0.09, F: 28.81), and overall burnout scores (R(2): 0.10, F: 31.68). Scores on agreeableness trait had weak negative correlation with personal burnout (R(2): 0.09, F: 32.98), workrelated burnout (R(2): 0.06, F: 20.96), patientrelated burnout (R(2): 0.06, F: 21.27), and overall burnout scores (R(2): 0.10, F: 33.43). Openness to experience had no significant correlation to personal, work-related, patient-related, or overall burnout scores. Conscientiousness scores had low negative correlation with the scores on personal burnout (R(2): 0.12, F: 41.96), work-related burnout (R(2): 0.09, F: 27.88), and overall burnout scores (R(2): 0.10, F: 31.80). Neuroticism had modest positive correlation with perceived stress scores (R(2:) 0.33, F: 145.61). Extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were weakly negatively correlated with perceived stress scores. CONCLUSIONS: Trait neuroticism increased the vulnerability to perceived stress and burnout, whereas traits of extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness were protective against perceived stress and burnout in the sample of female nurses surveyed.