Burnout Subtypes: Psychological Characteristics, Standardized Diagnoses and Symptoms Course to Identify Aftercare Needs

Authors

  • Gianandrea Pallich Orcid
    Center for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Private Hospital Meiringen, Meiringen, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Martin grosse Holtforth
    Department of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
  • Barbara Hochstrasser
    Center for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Private Hospital Meiringen, Meiringen, Switzerland

Abstract

Background: To better understand individual differences between burnout inpatients and improve individually tailored treatments in a psychiatric hospital, cluster analysis based on a number of self-report measures was used to investigate psychosocial characteristics of 96 participants. Method: Group membership was analyzed regarding associations with standardized measures of psychiatric and personality disorders. Moreover, symptom levels of burnout, depression, and general mental health were used to characterize the groups and to observe differential trajectories at admission, discharge, and follow-up. Results: As in previous research, we identified four subtypes that differed in comorbidity, psychological characteristics and treatment outcome. This calls for tailored interventions for the more vulnerable patients. Conclusion: The replicated and enriched characterization of burnout inpatients can help to optimally meet the differential needs of burnout patients.