Job Burnout : A Cultural Perspective
The global economic recession has led to inflation and a sombre outlook for GDP growth in 2022 and 2023, according to IMF. In 2022, approximately 139,000 job cuts occurred, with over 100,000 more by February 2023, and India accounted for more than 35,000 dismissals.
Job burnout arises from prolonged stress and can lead to physical, emotional, and cognitive issues, as well as negative attitudes towards work and colleagues. The three dimensions of burnout consist of emotional exhaustion, cynicism or depersonalisation, and decreased personal achievement. Emotional exhaustion can result in an inability to adjust to the work environment, requiring more emotional energy to perform tasks. Cynicism or depersonalisation is characterised by negative feelings towards work and colleagues, leading to inappropriate behaviour and exacerbating burnout. Reduced personal achievement involves negative self-assessment and self-doubt regarding job-related tasks, which in turn can negatively impact burnout symptoms, causing helplessness and a decline in motivation.
Aarya Dedhia Dr. Moitrayee Das
This leads us to the main question: How can we manage or cope with burnout?
Task-oriented coping mechanisms involve individuals adapting to their surroundings by changing their behaviour and cognition. Emotion-based coping methods are used to manage negative feelings in tough situations. While it can help individuals handle the emotional impact of stress, it has been reported as being counterproductive and adding to one’s stress. Avoidance-oriented coping mechanisms involve the use of temporary distractions to avoid confronting stressors. Although avoidance strategies may provide momentary relief, they are ineffective for long-term stress management.
Culture plays a vital role in the formation of people’s coping strategies, according to research. Apart from personal and situational factors, cultural norms and socialisation contribute to the development of shared coping strategies. These coping styles are learned socially and culturally influenced, with people from similar cultures tending to adopt matching coping mechanisms aligned with their cultural values.
Individualism and Collectivism
The individualism-collectivism dimension serves as a formidable theoretical foundation for cultural studies. It sheds light on the prominence of specific values, behaviours, and norms in diverse cultures, thus paving the way for accurate cross-cultural comparisons with substantial theoretical support.
Studies suggest that employees from individualistic cultures place a high value on individuality, self-expression, and autonomy while downplaying family ties and relying on weak networks. They also have a strong internal locus of control, adapting to given situations and attributing events to themselves or others.
Contrarily, employees from collectivist cultures prioritize their close bond with fellow members and adhere to group norms. They possess a deep sense of interdependence and conformity, which can positively or negatively affect their work and overall well-being depending on their surroundings. Coping strategies present more of a challenge than a threat for individualistic employees.
In conclusion, culture significantly shapes individuals’ coping strategies, priorities, and values that can impact their well-being and work satisfaction differently.