Lifestyle habits, substance use and predictors of job burnout in professional working women

This study explores differences in self-reported lifestyle habits, substance use (alcohol, drugs and smoking) and predictors of job burnout in a sample of 879 professional working women employed in dental health ofices in a cross-sectional design. Job burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and self-reported substance use and lifestyle habits were assessed using the Stress Assessment Profile. Self-reported drinking, smolung and drug use were only modestly correlated with each other in this sample. Employed women with higher levels of drinking reported significantly lower quality overall lifestyle practices, eating/nunition habits, and more frequent use of avoidant coping strategies in the face of work and life hassles compared to non-drinkers. Women who smoked also reported significantly lower overall lifestyle practices and eating/nutrition habits. Those who reported using drugs for recreational purposes reported significantly greater hassles, poorer lifestyle habits, a less hardy outlook on life, and more frequent use of dysfunctional coping strategies. Although women who reported using drugs experienced significantly higher interpersonal burnout (depersonalization) compared to non-drug users, in general, self-reported substance use was not significantly related to job burnout. After controlling for age and psychological distress, perceived stress, type A behaviour, cognitive hardiness and lifestyle habits significantly contributed to predictions of job burnout in multiple regression analyses. Despite methodological limitations, the prevalence of substance use found in this study supports previous research findings. Professional working women who practise poor lifestyle and health habits appear to be at risk of experiencing job burnout.