Yonsei Med J.  2018 Mar;59(2):187-193. 10.3349/ymj.2018.59.2.187.

Emotional Labor and Burnout: A Review of the Literature

• Jeung DY
• Kim C
• Chang SJ

• KMID: 2418780
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2018.59.2.187

Abstract

This literature review was conducted to investigate the association between emotional labor and burnout and to explore the role of personality in this relationship. The results of this review indicate that emotional labor is a job stressor that leads to burnout. Further examination of personality traits, such as self-efficacy and type A behavior pattern, is needed to understand the relationships between emotional labor and health outcomes, such as burnout, psychological distress, and depression. The results also emphasized the importance of stress management programs to reduce the adverse outcomes of emotional labor, as well as coping repertories to strengthen the personal potential suitable to organizational goals. Moreover, enhancing employees' capacities and competence and encouraging a positive personality through behavior modification are also necessary.

Keyword

Emotional labor; burnout; self-efficacy; type A behavior pattern

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
*Burnout, Professional
Depression/psychology
*Emotions
Female
Humans
Male
*Occupational Stress
*Personality
Stress, Psychological/psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires

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