Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Physiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India
2 Psychologist, International Center for Psychological Counselling and Social Research, Puducherry, India
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Work in informational technology (IT) professionals is highly competitive and stressful,
leading to job stress. This can lead to burnout, effort‑reward imbalance (ERI), and poor sleep quality.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study examined associations of ERI, burnout, and
poor sleep quality among IT professionals using data from 200 software engineers (mean age of
29.3 ± 4 years, 32% women). ERI and overcommitment were assessed using Siegrist’s “effort‑reward”
questionnaire. The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) was used to assess burnout and Pittsburgh
Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality.
RESULTS: ERI, burnout and poor sleep quality were present in 72%, 60%, and 70%, respectively.
Females had higher ERI, burnout, and poor sleep quality compared to males. ERI is significantly
associated with burnout (r = 0.45, P < 0.01) and poor sleep quality (r = 0.31, P < 0.01).
Linear regression to assess the ability of ERI to predict levels of burnout yielded a statistically
significant (R2 = 0.206, P < 0.01) indicating ERI to be a unique incremental predictor of burnout
(b = 0.454, t = 7.16, P < 0.01). ERI tends to be a predictive factor of poor sleep quality with Odd’s
ratio = 3.5, 95%CI (1.81–6.73), P < 0.01.
CONCLUSION: In summary, Intervention programs both at the individual and at the organization
level have to be designed to combat ERI, burnout, and poor sleep quality among IT professionals.
Keywords
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