Autonomy and control of the work environment by nursing professionals reduce emotional exhaustion indexes

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the professional practice environment and the burnout levels among nursing professionals, and to estimate the
predictive effect of the practice environment on burnout. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 215 nursing professionals from a teaching
hospital in the countryside of the State of São Paulo. For the data collection, the personal and professional characterization form and the Nursing Work
Index – Revised and the Maslach Burnout Inventory have been considered. Correlation analyzes were performed with the Spearman’s Correlation
Coefficient, and multiple linear regression models. Significant correlations have been found between the variables of the practice environment and
burnout. The autonomy and control over the environment subscales were considered as predictors of the emotional exhaustion, depersonalization
and reduction of personal achievement. In environments where the professional reports greater autonomy and greater control over this environment,
the levels of burnout were lower. It was concluded that the autonomy and the control over the environment of professional practice were considered
predictors of burnout among nurses, assistants and nursing technicians.