Differences in Burnout Proneness depend on Time Perspective – Evidence from an Occupational Sample of Industrial Employees and MBA-Students

Abstract

We examined the effect of time perspectives on the burnout-tendencies of a German sample (N = 151). We used the German version of the Maslach-Burnout-Inventory (MBI-GS-D) to measure burnout on the three dimensions (Emotional Exhaustion, Cynicism and Personal Accomplishment) and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) to capture the individual time perspectives (Past Negative, Past Positive, Present Fatalistic, Present Hedonistic and Future). We tested the relationship in a sample consisting of employees of an international company located in Germany (n = 72) with a low level of working-autonomy and of MBA students (n = 79) with a high level of working-autonomy. The Past Negative and Present Fatalistic orientations were identified as significant factors which enhance Emotional Exhaustion, whereas the Present Hedonistic orientation reduced Emotional Exhaustion. Present Hedonism decreased burnout tendencies by enhancing Personal Accomplishment. Contrary to our initial hypothesis the Future dimension did not show a significant effect on Emotional Exhaustion, but had a nearby significant reducing effect on Cynicism and a significant enhancing (and thus burnout-reducing) effect on Personal Accomplishment. Therefore, the Future dimension seems to inhibit burnout. Moreover, it was shown that high deviations from a Balanced Time Perspective (DBTP) caused an increase of all three burnout-dimensions as predicted. We additionally tested a mediator-model using the Present Fatalistic perspective as a mediator. The results indicated that the influence of the factor subsample is mediated by the Present Fatalistic dimension on Emotional Exhaustion and Personal Accomplishment (indirect effects). We observed direct and mediated indirect effects of the factor subsample on Cynicism. The findings of the current study are comparable with results of previous studies from the health care sector on time perspectives and burnout and indicated that there is an influence of time perspectives across very different occupational sectors.