Understanding the influence of high novelty-seeking on academic burnout: Moderating effect of physical activity

Abstract

A large number of studies have shown a positive correlation between high novelty-seeking (HNS), substance/medication use (S/MU), high physical activity (HPA), and academic burnout (AB); however, the outcome of individuals with HNS in the terms of catching AB is doubtful. The present study was conducted to find out whether the personality traits such as HNS in medical students predisposes the AB or decreases its severity by increased physical activity (PA). This cross-sectional study, 227 medical students with HNS were selected from three major cities of Iran during February, 2019 to July, 2019 using convenience sampling and were assessed using demographic information form, Baecke’s physical activity questionnaire, and Breso’s academic burnout questionnaire. In this study, 126 male and 151 female participants were divided into four groups namely HNS + low physical activity (LPA) (n = 68); HNS + HPA (n = 73); HNS + S/MU + LPA (n = 72); and HNS + S/MU + HPA (n = 64). The study results indicated that the maximum and minimum mean scores of AB and its subscales were in the HNS + S/MU + LPA and HNS + HPA groups, respectively. In addition, the hierarchical multiple regression analysis results for the two groups of students with and without S/MU indicated that PA plays a moderating role in the relationship between AB and HNS. Given that the AB can be considered as an antecedent of depressive disorders, its lowered level could be effective in preventing major depressive disorder. Regarding the moderating role of PA in the relationship between HNS and AB, PA, as a relatively simple and inexpensive alternative to pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, can be raised in the treatment and prevention of the AB.

A narrative review of research on healthcare staff’s burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The model of employee burnout was first developed by Maslach based on Freudenberger’s view, which consisted of three dimensions, namely, exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. 14 According to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, 15 occupational burnout is a clinical condition resulting from chronic work-related stress, with symptoms marked by “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.” During the recent outbreak of COVID-19, hospitals have been forced to rapidly provide clinical facilities and healthcare teams to quell the rising tide of COVID-19 patients. To meet the growing demand of COVID-19 patients, healthcare systems worldwide have been forced to send many healthcare workers to areas outside their usual clinical specialty and/or expertise, often with extra shifts and long working hours.…”

The relations between mental well-being and burnout in medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: A network analysis

“…It is possible that these network features of individuals may not be replicated in the similar way. Fourth, other confounding factors, such as demographic characteristics (e.g., working years and working hours), personality, resilience, and empathy (66)(67)(68)(69), may also influence the relation between MW and burnout. Therefore, future research could further explore the MW-burnout network under the control of these confounding factors.…”

Associations Between Maladaptive Perfectionism and Life Satisfaction Among Chinese Undergraduate Medical Students: The Mediating Role of Academic Burnout and the Moderating Role of Self-Esteem

“…Psychological interventions such as implementing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mental health education courses in medical education have already been demonstrated to be effective in helping medical students reduce maladaptive perfectionism levels, decrease academic burnout levels and increase life satisfaction levels (Chand et al, 2018;Wang and Du, 2020). In addition, two recent cross-sectional studies by Khosravi and Khosravi et al found that academic burnout was significantly associated with physical activities in medical students and encouraging medical students to do more physical exercise may lower their academic burnout levels (Khosravi et al, 2020;Khosravi, 2021). In this regard, interventional studies need to be conducted in the future to examine the effectiveness of physical activities in helping medical students reduce academic burnout.…”