[Attachment Representation and Emotion Regulation in Patients with Burnout Syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
Burnout describes a syndrome of exhaustion resulting from insufficient coping with work-related distress. We investigated if patients that are being clinically treated for burnout show insecure and unresolved attachment representation more often compared with healthy controls.


METHODS
50 out of 60 consecutive burnout patients participated in the study. Mental representation of attachment was measured by using the Adult Attachment Interview. Additionally, we administered the Self Report Questionnaire to Assess Emotional Experience and Emotion Regulation and several burnout specific questionnaires. A population sample was used as control group.


RESULTS
Burnout patients were classified as insecurely attached significantly more often than controls. Unresolved attachment status concerning loss or trauma was found significantly more often within the burnout sample. Patients with insecure attachment representation reported a lower subjective significance of work. Patients with avoidant insecure attachment showed more depersonalisation. Patients with unresolved loss/trauma reported less social support. They showed more passive-negative emotion experience and emotion regulation characterized by externalization.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study suggest that an insecure or unresolved attachment representation might constitute an intrapersonal risk factor for the development of burnout syndrome.
Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg.
Wolfgang
W
Söllner
Institut für Psychologie, Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen.
Johanna
J
Behringer
Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg.
Stephanie
S
Böhme
Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg.
Barbara
B
Stein
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz.
Iris
I
Reiner
Institut für Psychologie, Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen.
Gottfried
G
Spangler
D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D064889:Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic; D019962:Reactive Attachment Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires