September 30, 2026
Quality of Life at Work: a path to the prevention of Burnout Syndrome
Quality of Life at Work: A Path to the Prevention of Burnout Syndrome
Bianca de Almeida Sousa dos Santos; Marcos Aurelio Lopes
DOI: 10.22167/2675-6528-202602723
Article derived from a Course Conclusion Work (TCC), with content based on the student’s original work and adapted to the editorial format of the E&S Magazine with the support of the ResumeAI tool, an artificial intelligence solution developed by Instituto Pecege for textual synthesis and organization.
Summary
This study analyzed the relationship between Quality of Working Life (QWL) and Burnout Syndrome levels in professionals from various contexts, considering sociodemographic variables. The objective was to analyze this relationship, investigating the dynamics between factors contributing to Burnout and QWL practices. A descriptive and quantitative study was conducted, using convenience sampling. Data were collected through an electronic questionnaire, applying the instruments Quality of Working Life Questionnaire (QWLQ-78) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, with weighted average calculations. The results indicated moderate levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, associated with high personal accomplishment, a pattern opposite to that classically associated with Burnout. It was observed that higher education acted as a protective factor, associated with greater professional accomplishment and lower depersonalization rates. Women presented lower scores in the Personal domain of QWL, possibly due to extralaboral demands. It was concluded that the promotion of QWL contributes to the reduction of psychosocial risks and the maintenance of occupational well-being, although the sample size limits the generalization of the results.
Keywords: Well-being; Burnout; Health; Work.
1. Introduction
The contemporary corporate environment is characterized by continuous transformations, high competitiveness, and increasing performance demands. In this scenario, organizational culture demands constant updating and flexibility to adapt to these changes (Chiavenato, 2021). Attention to employee well-being, which encompasses their physical, psychological, and social integrity, emerges as a fundamental pillar of people management (Dutra et al., 2017).
In this context, Quality of Work Life (QWL) acquires significant relevance. For employees, QWL promotes motivation, efficiency, and greater resistance to stress. For organizations, it translates into a healthier and more productive workforce (Vasconcelos, 2001). An adequate work environment is essential, encompassing both physical and psychological aspects (Ferreira, 2013).
Despite the growing appreciation for well-being, the pressures and demands of the corporate environment frequently result in emotional and physical overload, potentially triggering mental health problems. One of these problems is Burnout Syndrome, initially conceptualized by Herbert Freudenberger in 1974 as a state of physical and mental exhaustion in healthcare professionals who worked in caring for drug users. More recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized Burnout as an occupational syndrome, including it in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (WHO, 2019).
Recent studies show that Burnout has become a growing problem on a global scale. A survey by the University of São Paulo (USP), conducted in 2022, indicated that one in five Brazilians working in the corporate world suffers from Burnout Syndrome. This phenomenon represents a challenge not only individually but also organizationally, as it is associated with increased absenteeism and turnover (Matos et al., 2023).
However, the incidence of the syndrome is not an inevitable progression. The implementation of Quality of Work Life (QWL) practices can act as a protective factor, serving as a preventive barrier against burnout (Limongi-França, 2004). Thus, understanding the dynamics between the factors that contribute to the emergence of Burnout and the QWL practices that mitigate it is fundamental.
This research is justified by the need to understand, in an integrated way, the occupational stress factors and their relationship with Quality of Work Life, offering subsidies for practical interventions that contribute to the well-being and health of professionals in the current corporate context. Therefore, the objective was to analyze the relationship between Quality of Work Life and Burnout levels in professionals working in different professional contexts, considering sociodemographic variables.
2. Material and Methods
The present study was characterized as a descriptive-explanatory research, with a quantitative approach. The descriptive nature sought to map and characterize the main risk factors related to Burnout in different organizational and sociodemographic contexts. The explanatory approach aimed to investigate the relationships between these factors and their association with Quality of Work Life (Gil, 2019). The quantitative nature allowed for the measurement of variables and statistical analysis of the data, favoring the identification of patterns and relationships (Creswell and Creswell, 2021).
The unit of analysis comprised professionals working in various contexts. The research used non-probabilistic convenience sampling, composed of workers from different sectors and organizations. Participation was voluntary and anonymous, with a total of 65 respondents. Sharing the link of the electronic questionnaire among participants allowed reaching professionals outside the initial contact network, broadening the diversity of experiences represented in the sample.
Data collection was carried out through a field survey, operationalized by a structured electronic questionnaire, made available on the Google Forms platform. The instrument was developed based on two main references: the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire (QWLQ-78) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The questionnaire totaled 48 questions, divided into three distinct sections to address the study objectives.
The first section of the questionnaire included sociodemographic data, with six questions aimed at characterizing the participants’ profile. The second section was composed of twenty questions selected from the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire (QWLQ-78), according to Junior et al. (2011). This instrument organizes its items into four main domains: Physical/Health, Psychological, Personal, and Professional, assessing respondents’ perception of Quality of Working Life.
The third section of the questionnaire integrated thirteen questions selected from the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), adapted from Maslach et al. (1997). The MBI was used to assess the three dimensions of Burnout Syndrome: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. The combination of these instruments allowed for a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between Quality of Work Life and Burnout levels.
The link to access the electronic questionnaire was disseminated on the professional network LinkedIn, remaining available for responses for 45 days. Professionals’ participation was voluntary and anonymous, with no personal identification associated with the responses. Before completing it, participants were informed about the research objectives and the procedures involved.
For the data analysis, descriptive statistics were used, with the calculation of weighted averages. Participants’ responses were converted into numerical values, respecting the ordinal nature of the scales. For the QWLQ-78 questions, a Likert-type scale was adopted, with increasing weights assigned according to the degree of agreement, ranging from 1 (Totally Disagree) to 5 (Totally Agree) (Junior et al., 2011).
In the case of the MBI, the dimension scores were obtained by the weighted sum of the corresponding items, divided by the product of the number of respondents and the number of items in each dimension. This resulted in average scores on a scale of 0 to 6. The classification of the scores obtained for QVT and for the Burnout dimensions followed the criteria proposed by Junior et al. (2011) and Maslach et al. (1997), respectively, allowing for the interpretation of satisfaction and Burnout levels.
All participants were informed about the study objectives, and their participation occurred through free and informed consent. The anonymity and confidentiality of the collected information were ensured. Ethical procedures followed the norms recommended by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP), according to the guidelines of the National Health Council, established in 2012.
3. Results and Discussion
The analysis of the collected data allowed us to draw a sociodemographic profile of the 65 participants and investigate the relationship between Quality of Work Life (QWL) and Burnout Syndrome. A relatively balanced gender distribution was observed, with 47.7% women and 52.3% men, a figure that aligns with the configuration of the Brazilian population, where the female sex is the majority, although the study sample showed a slight male predominance. This representativeness is crucial for understanding the dynamics of QWL and Burnout in different segments of the workforce.
Regarding the age group, the research revealed a predominance of young respondents, with 55.4% aged between 14 and 29 years. This data suggests that the sample is mostly composed of individuals in the initial or intermediate stages of their professional careers. This characteristic is relevant because, as pointed out by IBGE (2022), this segment of the economically active population faces significant challenges in qualified insertion into an ever-evolving job market, marked by an aging population and growing competitiveness.
Regarding schooling, 47.7% of participants had completed higher education, including full higher education (26.2%) and different levels of postgraduate studies (21.5%). This percentage is notably higher than the national average, which, according to IBGE (2022), indicates that only 19.2% of the Brazilian population has completed higher education. This high level of formal qualification in the sample may be associated with more favorable perceptions regarding professional development, social integration, and, consequently, Quality of Work Life.
Regarding individual income and occupational position, it was found that 60.0% of respondents were concentrated in the range of up to three minimum wages. The majority of participants (76.9%) worked as collaborators, without leadership roles. Among those in leadership positions, 71.4% had recently assumed this position, with a tenure of between one and six years. These findings corroborate the data from PNAD Contínua, which indicate a predominance of employees in the private sector with remuneration concentrated in the initial ranges, even among individuals with high education levels, reflecting the challenges of career progression and consolidation in Brazil (IBGE, 2022).
The evaluation of the average Quality of Work Life (QWL) indices by domain, using the QWLQ-78 scale, revealed that the Personal and Professional domains were classified as satisfactory, with averages of 69.04 and 67.60, respectively. This indicates a positive perception by participants regarding aspects such as professional development, recognition, and interpersonal relationships. In contrast, the Psychological domain presented an average of 52.18, falling within the neutral range, suggesting that subjective factors such as self-esteem, motivation, and emotional well-being may be more vulnerable to organizational pressures than physical working conditions, which obtained an average of 56.79, also classified as satisfactory.
The comparative analysis of QVT domains according to sociodemographic and occupational variables evidenced important nuances. Participants with higher education and those in leadership positions simultaneously presented better indicators in the Professional and Personal domains of QVT. This result suggests that academic deepening and promotion to leadership positions can provide a greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in personal and professional aspects of work, according to the QVT literature (Junior et al., 2011).
However, these same groups, especially the leaders, registered lower scores in the Psychological domain. This pattern of coexistence between high professional achievement and some emotional wear and tear is a relevant finding. It suggests that, although career development and professional recognition contribute to QVT, they do not necessarily protect the individual from pressures that affect psychological well-being, such as self-esteem and motivation, which remain at a neutral level.
This observation can be interpreted in light of the Job Demands Resources model, proposed by Schaufeli and Bakker (2004). According to this model, the increase in cognitive, emotional, and decision-making demands, often associated with positions of greater responsibility, can attenuate the protective effects of job resources. Thus, even with autonomy and development opportunities, the balance between demands and individual capabilities is crucial for maintaining mental health in the workplace, reinforcing the multidimensional view of QVT (Walton, 1973; Limongi-França, 2004).
The overall assessment of the dimensions of Burnout Syndrome, according to the criteria of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), indicated moderate levels of Emotional Exhaustion (mean of 2.36) and Depersonalization (mean of 2.12), associated with high Personal Accomplishment (mean of 4.02, which, by the inverse scale, means high). This pattern differs from the classic Burnout profile, which traditionally combines high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization with low personal accomplishment (Maslach and Jackson, 1981; Maslach et al., 2001).
Although there were no indications of Burnout in the sample as a whole, the segmented analysis by sociodemographic and occupational profile revealed significant variations. Among women, higher rates of Emotional Exhaustion (mean of 2.42) and Personal Accomplishment (mean of 4.40) were observed compared to men. This result suggests that women may experience more pronounced emotional wear, but also demonstrate a strong subjective investment in their work, finding meaning and effectiveness in their activities, which can act as a compensatory factor in the face of multiple demands, aligning with the work-family enrichment perspective (Greenhaus and Allen, 2011).
Regarding age group, participants up to 43 years old showed higher means of Emotional Exhaustion, while those over 43 years old registered lower levels in the negative dimensions of Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization. This finding corroborates the literature that points to greater vulnerability to emotional exhaustion in the initial phases of a career, a period often marked by high expectations, pressure for performance, and lower occupational stability (Schaufeli and Bakker, 2004).
Education level also proved to be a relevant factor. Respondents with incomplete higher education showed higher averages of Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization, while those with complete higher education or postgraduate degrees registered higher Personal Accomplishment. This result reinforces the idea that work resources, such as knowledge and technical mastery, act as protective factors against occupational demands and the risk of psychological illness, contributing to greater job security and autonomy.
Regarding the position, employees presented higher levels of Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization, while leaders demonstrated greater Personal Accomplishment and lower scores in the negative dimensions. Access to organizational resources, greater control over work, and decision-making power, characteristics often associated with leadership positions, may contribute to the mitigation of psychosocial risks, in line with the demand-control model (Karasek & Theorell, 1990).
The results of this research also offer a reflection on the role of work in contemporary life. Besides being a source of income, work constitutes a fundamental space for identity construction, skill development, and the attribution of meaning to human experience. From this perspective, Morin (2001) argues that work acquires meaning when it is perceived as useful, enables learning, favors personal development, and contributes to a purpose that transcends the mere execution of tasks. The high levels of personal fulfillment observed in this study may reflect not only satisfaction with the activity but also the recognition of work as a central element for the individual’s sense of purpose and belonging.
However, the findings also show that the meaning attributed to work, by itself, is not enough to protect the individual from emotional exhaustion. The coexistence of high personal accomplishment and signs of exhaustion, observed in some groups, suggests that finding purpose in professional activity does not eliminate the effects of excessive demands, overload, or performance pressure. This interpretation dialogues with Frankl (2008), who argues that meaning in work is a source of motivation, but does not nullify the need for conditions that preserve the individual’s health and dignity. Thus, promoting Quality of Work Life involves not only offering adequate conditions for carrying out activities, but also building organizational environments that preserve mental health without compromising the positive meaning that work can represent.
Gender analysis revealed a disparity in the Personal domain of Quality of Work Life, with women presenting lower rates than men. This difference suggests that extralaboral pressures and the mental load associated with the domestic sphere may negatively impact female well-being and the overall perception of QWL. Even in organizational contexts with low levels of Burnout, the lower perceived quality of private life signals a fragility that, in the long term, may evolve into chronic stress conditions, if organizational policies focused on flexibility, psychosocial support, and work-life balance are not implemented.
The neutrality observed in the Psychological Domain of QVT, especially among younger participants, indicated that the pursuit of purpose, recognition, and high performance, frequent characteristics in the initial career stages, implied a relevant emotional cost. Although these professionals reported high levels of personal and professional fulfillment, emotional instability and pressure for results may have limited the experience of fuller psychological satisfaction, reinforcing the need for attention to these subjective aspects of QVT.
In summary, the research results indicated an inversely proportional association between Quality of Work Life and Burnout Syndrome in the studied sample. A positive occupational health scenario was observed, characterized by high levels of Personal Accomplishment and satisfactory evaluations in the professional and physical domains of QWL, which act as protective factors against Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization. However, detailed analysis revealed that higher education and leadership positions are associated with greater accomplishment and less burnout, while women and professionals at the beginning of their careers may be more vulnerable to signs of emotional exhaustion, indicating the need for strategic interventions to promote occupational well-being more equitably and comprehensively.
4. Conclusion
This study sought to analyze the relationship between Quality of Work Life (QWL) and Burnout Syndrome levels in professionals from various contexts, considering sociodemographic variables. An inversely proportional association was found between QWL and Burnout Syndrome in the investigated sample, outlining an occupational health scenario characterized by moderate levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, but with high personal accomplishment. It was observed that the Personal and Professional domains of QWL were perceived as satisfactory, while the Psychological domain remained at a neutral level. Higher education acted as a protective factor, associated with greater professional accomplishment and lower levels of depersonalization, while professionals at the beginning of their careers and women showed greater vulnerability to signs of emotional wear. Women, in particular, registered lower scores in the Personal domain of QWL, suggesting the impact of extralaboral demands on their well-being. These findings reinforce the understanding that, although work can be a source of purpose and fulfillment, the presence of excessive demands and the absence of adequate support can compromise mental health. The study’s main contribution lies in offering subsidies for organizational management, highlighting the importance of promoting QWL as a strategy to mitigate psychosocial risks and sustain occupational well-being.
However, the generalization of the results is limited by the small sample size, which was obtained by convenience. Therefore, it is suggested that future studies focus on larger and more diverse samples, allowing for a more in-depth analysis of sociodemographic and occupational nuances. It is also recommended that future organizational interventions prioritize strengthening the psychological resources of early-career professionals and developing policies to support the professional trajectory of women, aiming to ensure that professional fulfillment is maintained without compromising mental health and work-life balance. Such actions are crucial for building work environments that not only value performance but also fully preserve employee well-being.
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Article originating from the Final Course Work of the Specialization in Business Management of the MBA USP/Esalq
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