The Relationship Between Hardiness and Burnout in Female Nursing and Liberal Arts/Science Faculty

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between hardiness and burnout in female liberal arts/science faculty and female faculty in nursing. Degrees of hardiness were determined for each group with attention to the dimensions of commitment, control, and challenge. Degrees of burnout were determined for each group with attention to the components of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. The two groups were compared to determine if the levels of hardiness and burnout in faculty members were related to the area of teaching responsibility, and demographic characteristics.

The sample for this study consisted of 121 female, full-time faculty from a large state university (nursing n = 66; liberal arts/science n = 55). One data collection was performed. Burnout was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Hardiness was measured by the Personal Views Survey (PVS). A demographic data survey was included. Pearson correlation coefficients, ANOVA, and multiple regression were employed in the analyses of the hypotheses.

Findings indicate that (a) a negative correlation was found between hardiness and burnout; (b) using multiple regression, the Commitment component of hardiness was the strongest predictor of burnout; (c) subjects who had children over the age of 25 were more hardy and experienced less burnout than individuals with younger children, or no children at all; (d) faculty in nursing exhibited an external locus of control more frequently than liberal arts/science faculty; and (e) there was no significant difference in the degree of burnout between faculty in nursing and those in liberal arts/science. Specifically, the additional nursing job requirement of clinical supervision was not associated with the degree of burnout.

Recommendations for future research include replication of the study using faculty from other disciplines, and the inclusion of male subjects to determine if gender difference is significant in the relationship between hardiness and burnout.