Impact of social support in preventing burnout syndrome in nurses: A systematic review

Year Published:

Abstract

AIM: Burnout is a reality in the nursing profession. It is composed of three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment, and results from being subjected to chronic stress in the healthcare context. Social support (SS), that is, the assistance and protection given by others, is a predictive and protective factor against burnout syndrome. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between SS, in its different forms, and burnout syndrome in nurses, and to identify the risk factors for burnout.

METHODS: A systematic literature review was carried out, following the PRISMA recommendations. The databases CINAHL, PsycINFO, Proquest Platform (Proquest Health & Medical Complete), Pubmed and Scopus were consulted, using the descriptors: “burnout, professional AND social support AND nursing”. To minimize potential publication bias, the search had no time or sample size limitation.

RESULTS: Burnout was reported, to a greater or lesser extent, in all the articles analyzed, and the SS received by nurses in the workplace from supervisors and coworkers was found to play a fundamental role in preventing the syndrome. However, to date the bibliography on this issue is scant, and there is little consensus as to the degree of SS received. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout prevention plans, with particular attention to SS, should be developed to improve nurses’ quality of life and to enhance the care they provide.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to reduce burnout and vicarious trauma among refugee service providers?

There is strong evidence for a variety of strategies to reduce vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout among helping professionals. A strong body of evidence has developed in the past twenty years on reducing stress reactions among a variety of professional helpers in a wide range of settings and professions. Strategies to…

About this study

AGE: Adults

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Paid

HOST COUNTRY: Multiple countries

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: Varies

INTERVENTION: Organizational strategies

OUTCOME AREA: Reduction of compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary trauma

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Strong

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2020

More STUDIES

The management of volunteers – What can human resources do? A review and research agenda

There is an increasing interest from scholars and practitioners in understanding how non-profit organizations can design and implement human resources (HR) practices to enhance desirable volunteer attitudes and behaviors. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of existing studies on the relationship between HR practices and volunteering outcomes. We use the ability-motivation-opportunity model as a guiding…

Predictors of turnover amongst volunteers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Volunteers represent a global workforce equivalent to 61 million full-time workers. A significant decline in volunteering has highlighted the urgency to better understand and address turnover amongst volunteers. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of turnover amongst volunteers. We also examined whether staying or leaving has different predictors. The meta-analysis integrated…