Relationship between Burnout, Personality Traits and Sociodemographic Variables in Brazilian Workers

Abstract Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment at work. The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic variables and personality traits, according to the Big Five theory, in the outcome of the syndrome. The sociodemographic questionnaire, the Work Burnout Inventory and the Reduced Personality Markers were answered in an online platform by 343 Brazilian professionals from the service sector (75.50% women, n = 259), working in the areas of health, education, administrative services, security, banking and customer service (e.g. telemarketing, call centers). The results do not point to a statistically significant relationship between sociodemographic variables and burnout. Personality traits had a more predictive relationship with the three factors of burnout, which Neuroticism was the most important predictor. Personal resources, especially Neuroticism, can play an important role in the development of burnout.