Work-related stress frequently leaves individuals feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, and this condition can be compounded by anxiety from other life domains. This dynamic was highlighted in a recent study by the University of Georgia, which explored the effects of external stressors like financial anxiety on job satisfaction. The research revealed that stresses in personal life, such as financial worries, impact mental health and professional environments by contributing to burnout.

Burnout is a complex phenomenon traditionally linked to the workplace but can be intensified by factors outside work, such as financial stress. The study surveyed over 200 full-time U.S. employees, examining the relationship between their current financial stress and their burnout and job satisfaction levels. The findings indicated that financial worries could significantly influence an employee’s sense of engagement and satisfaction at work, suggesting a spill-over effect where difficulties in one area can exacerbate challenges in another.

Camden Cusumano, the study’s lead author and a doctoral candidate at UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, drew parallels between physical and financial health. He noted that just as a physical injury in one part of the body could cause pain elsewhere, financial stress could manifest in reduced workplace performance. This analogy underscores the interconnected nature of personal and professional well-being, where distress in any life domain can ripple across others.

The symptoms of burnout include depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. These symptoms often create a disengaging work experience where employees may feel detached and unproductive. This study aimed to look beyond the usual suspects of workload and autonomy, examining how external pressures, like financial stress, contribute to these feelings of burnout and lower job satisfaction.

In their research methodology, the team conducted an online survey with 217 full-time employees who shared their experiences related to burnout and job satisfaction. They also assessed participants’ current financial stress and outlook on future financial security. Those with high stress levels regarding their current economic situations reported more incredible burnout, which lowered their job satisfaction.

The researchers suggest several strategies to mitigate these effects. For individuals, staying informed about the sources of financial stress and actively managing these can help alleviate burnout. For employers, there is an opportunity to support employees through programs that address financial well-being, such as offering financial counselling. Such initiatives help manage current financial stress and foster a positive outlook on future economic stability, improving job satisfaction and employee engagement.

More information: Camden Cusumano et al, Mind the gap: Investigating how financial well-being shapes job satisfaction through burnout, Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health. DOI: 10.1080/15555240.2024.2441208

Journal information: Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health Provided by University of Georgia