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Burnout Fifty Years Later
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Economic Management Science, North--West UniversityBurnout has elicited considerable interest among occupational health specialists since it was first described in the mid-1970s. The publication of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) in 1981 stimulated research on the syndrome and established exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy as its defining components (Maslach et al., 2016). Health professionals are thought to be particularly affected by burnout, with detrimental effects on absenteeism, presenteeism, job performance and turnover, and general health status (Rotenstein et al., 2018; Woo et al., 2020). Five decades of research on burnout have led stakeholders to revise their views of the phenomenon. This article outlines key developments in burnout research that have unfolded over this period. First, new light has been shed on burnout’s etiology. Most burnout researchers have assumed that burnout results from intractable job stress (e.g., work overload). Meta-analyses indicate that job stressors indeed predict burnout, but only tenuously (e.g., Guthier et al., 2020). That intractable job stress accounts for little variance in burnout may explain why interventions exclusively centered on the workplace have shown limited effectiveness. Second, although burnout has been portrayed as rampant, researchers have shown that burnout prevalence is unmeasurable for the basic reason that burnout is undiagnosable (e.g., Rotenstein et al., 2018). As underscored by Maslach and Leiter (2017) regarding the MBI: “. . . no clinical research has been done to establish that any particular score, or pattern of scores, is a meaningful indicator of serious problems in well-being or work performance” (p. 38). Third, evidence has accumulated that burnout cannot be easily distinguished from a depressive condition (Bianchi et al., 2021; Sen, 2022). Clinicians have increasingly questioned the once-common recommendation of not conflating burnout with depression. The risk of withholding life-saving treatments for depression from individuals categorized as “burned-out” has raised deep concerns (Bianchi & Schonfeld, 2023; Sen, 2022). Fourth, while burnout has been viewed as a socially accepted label, there is mounting evidence that the burnout label is stigmatizing and should be handled carefully in organizational settings (e.g., Smith et al., 2023). Finally, the definition of burnout as a syndrome of exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy has been challenged. Investigators have noted that, when describing stressed-out workers, exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy only represent bits and pieces of the story—and arguably not the most relevant ones (Bianchi & Schonfeld, 2023). The MBI developers themselves recognized that exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy do not constitute “a single, one-dimensional phenomenon” (Maslach et al., 2016, p. 72). Such an avowal is consequential. The notion that exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy constitute disparate entities that do not coalesce into a unified phenomenon drains the burnout construct of its substance. Deep controversies continue to surround burnout, often leaving stakeholders confused. A shift in focus from burnout to job-related forms of anxiety and depressive symptoms may allow occupational health specialists to support workers’ health and well-being more effectivel
A novel hypothesis-generating computational workflow utilizing reverse pharmacophore mapping—A drug repurposing perspective of istradefylline towards major depressive disorder
No full textArticle, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Human Metabolomics)--Northwest University, Potchefstroom CampusBackground and Purpose: Drug repurposing (DR) offers a compelling alternative to traditional drug discovery's lengthy, resource-intensive process. DR is the process of identifying alternative clinical applications for pre-approved drugs as a low-risk and low-cost strategy. Computational approaches are crucial during the early hypothesis- generating stage of DR. However, ‘large-scale’ data retrieval remains a significant challenge. A computational workflow addressing such limitations might improve hypothesis generation, ultimately benefit patients and advance DR research.
Experimental Approach: We introduce a novel computational workflow (combining free-accessible computational platforms) to provide ‘proof-of-concept’ of the pre-approved drug's suitability for repurposing. Three key phases are included: target fishing (via reverse pharmacophore mapping), target identification (via disease- and drug-target pathway identification) and retrospective literature and drug-like analysis (via in silico ADMET properties determination). Istradefylline is a Parkinson's disease-approved drug with literature-attributed antidepressant properties remaining unclear.
Practically applied, istradefylline's antidepressant activity was assessed in the context of major depressive disorder (MDD).
Key Results: Data mining aided by target identification resulted in istradefylline potentially representing a novel antidepressant drug class. Retrieved drug targets (KYNU, MAO-B, ALOX12 and PLCB2) associated with selected MDD pathways (tryptophan metabolism and serotonergic synapse) generated a hypothesis that istra- defylline increased extracellular 5-HT levels (MAO-B inhibition) and reduced inflam-mation (KYNU, ALOX12 and PLCB2 inhibition).
Conclusion and Implications: The practically applied workflow's generated hypothesis aligns with known experimental data, validating the effectiveness of this novel computational workflow. It is a low-risk and low-cost DR computational tool providing a bird's-eye view for exploring alternative clinical applications of pre-approved drugs
Rethinking Policy Design: Integrating Traditional, Market-oriented and Corporatist Career Management Policy Instruments across South African Public Service Departments
Get PDFAfrocentric Governance of Public Affairs (AGoPa), North West University, Vanderbijlpark Campus, South Africa.Policy design gained popularity in the 1970s, thus proliferating extensive scholarly
research within the field. This persistent trajectory is sustained by a significant
emphasis on integrating diverse instruments within contemporary democratic and
governance contexts. Despite the relevance of instrument mix, the integration of
traditional, corporatist, and market-oriented policy instruments still needs to be
explored in the African context, particularly in career management. This study
addressed this gap by investigating the integration of these diverse paradigms through
insights from the metaphysical foundations of governance models alongside the
empirical data gathered from the stakeholders at the North West Province Departments
of Cooperative Governance Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements. Findings
revealed a divergence of policy design approaches, culminating in the misalignment
of policy instruments in career management. This misalignment hampers the
integration of employee development objectives with Public Service goals. Findings
revealed that the underlying cause of this deficiency is the misalignment of NATO
instruments. Therefore key stakeholders in both departments should realign policy
instruments and enhance targeted capability building. The study contributes to public
administration theory, policy design, career management, and integrative governance
by prioritising the alignment of policy instruments, thereby bridging the gap between
organisational and employee developmental goals. This collaborative approach
reveals the potentiality of integrative governance in harmonising diverse policy
instruments in public organisation
Unpacking fatigue: how burnout and engagement influence commitment and overtime among South African workers
No full textJournal Article, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources Management, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, PotchefstroomOrientation: Workplace fatigue has harmed the working environment, with workers becoming increasingly exhausted, disgruntled and detached from their work and co-workers. Curbing workplace fatigue is important to increase job performance, commitment, satisfaction and safety in the work environment.
Research purpose: The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of fatigue on the relationship between overtime, burnout, commitment and engagement among South African blue-collar workers. The study also aims to understand the mediating role burnout and engagement play in the relationship model.
Motivation of the study: The motivation behind this study was to understand the role fatigue plays in the working life of blue-collar workers.
Research approach/design and method: A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study explored the relationship between overtime, burnout, engagement and commitment among blue-collar workers in South Africa. Data from 381 participants were gathered using purposive sampling.
Main findings: The study found negative links between burnout, work engagement, and fatigue, showing that burnout or low engagement increases fatigue. Burnout and fatigue both reduce work commitment, weakening dedication to work.
Practical/managerial implications: Reducing fatigue in blue-collar workers may lower burnout and increase commitment, engagement, and overtime willingness. Addressing burnout and promoting engagement is key to minimising fatigue’s negative impact on organisational outcomes.
Contribution/value-add: The study contributed to deeper insight into the effect fatigue and burnout have on the blue-collar sample’s work commitment, work engagement and willingness to work overtime
A multivariate dataset on water-energy-food nexus: multi-actor governance for social justice
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Law, North-West University, Hoffman Street, Potchefstroom,The article presents and validates an extensive multivariate dataset that offers insights into water–energy–food (WEF) nexus governance for social justice at the intrahousehold, household, and community levels. The lack of insights in the WEF nexus debate that take social justice and governance into account is what spurred the data collection. The initial process involved scoping the originally selected investigated sites and their suitability. Once the research areas were identified, the data were collected from 1184 households in the Matatiele, Magareng, and Greater Taung Local Municipalities in South Africa, using a semi-structured questionnaire and KoboCollect software. The freely available software was installed on Android Tablets which were used by the enumerators. The questionnaires were initially piloted in Matatiele Local Municipality, testing for internal validity and skip patterns, as well as time to complete the questionnaire. The reliability of the Likert responses from the questionnaire was evaluated using Cronbachʼs alpha. The questionnaire was then refined for data collection and utilized a total of twenty-two (22) locally trained enumerators who were employed at the investigated sites. These enumerators were trained in administering the questionnaire and the use of the KoboCollect software used in data collection. The enumerators also received training on how to conduct the survey ethically, including informed permission, confidentiality, and the option to withdraw from the interview. The design of the data collection process was a cross-sectional survey that was conducted between 6 June and 4 August 2022, using purposive sampling. At the end of each data collection day, the enumerators uploaded their collected data into the KoboTool cloud, which allowed the lead in the survey to assess the data and effect any correctional measures on the questionnaire if the need arose. The enumerators also used a WhatsApp chat group to communicate real time opportunities and challenges in the questionnaire, which allowed the lead in the survey to constantly update the questionnaire. The multivariate questionnaire was divided into sections of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, community-level governance, decision-making, food, energy, and water security, social justice, legal knowledge, and rights to utilize these resources. The dataset will be of significance to multi-disciplinary researchers focusing on WEF security, governance, and social justice in Southern Africa. Furthermore, environmental and sustainability practitioners can find valuable insights from the provided data. The employed methodology is replicable and adaptable, enabling real-time monitoring of social justice and governance in the context of food, energy, and water security. The real time monitoring of governance and social justice in water, energy and food allows for the possibility of continual data collection and updating, and if a longitudinal design is adopted, it can be used for impact inquiry of any interventions or policies
Hydrazinated geraniol derivatives as potentialbroad‐spectrum antiprotozoal agents
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Health Science, North--West University- PotchefstroomGeraniol, a primary component of several essential oils, has been associated withbroad‐spectrum antiprotozoal activities, although moderate to weak. This studyprimarily concentrated on the synthesis of hydrazinated geraniol derivatives aspotential antiprotozoal agents. The synthesised compounds were tested in vitroagainst different parasitic protozoans of clinical relevance, including Trypanosomabrucei brucei, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmaniainfantum. Compounds 6, 8, 13, 14 and 15 demonstrated low micromolar activityagainst the different parasites. Compounds 8, 13, 14 and 15 had the highest efficacyagainst Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, as indicated by their respective IC 50 valuesof 0.74, 0.56, 1.26 and 1.00 μM. Compounds 6, 14 and 15 displayed the best activityagainst Trypanosoma brucei brucei, with IC 50 values of 1.49, 1.48 and 1.85 μM,respectively. The activity of compounds 6, 14 and 15 also extended to intracellularTrypanosoma cruzi, with IC50 values of 5.14, 6.30 and 4.90 μM, respectively.Compound 6, with an IC50 value of 11.73 μM, and compound 14, with an IC50 valueof 8.14 μM, demonstrated some modest antileishmanial activit
IS “SMALL” SAFE? EXPLORING THE GOOD AND BAD OF NANOMATERIALS
No full textJournal Article, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus“Small” does not necessarily have a clear meaning… is a ball big or small? A ball might be small compared to the entire planet, but it is absolutely huge compared to tiny “nano” particles! If you look at 1 mm on a ruler, one million nanometers can fit into that millimeter. Nanomaterials—the general name for materials made from tiny particles in the nanometer range—are so small that they have properties that can be quite different from “normal” materials. Nanomaterials may have a number of helpful functions. For example, they can be useful in medicine, helping our bodies to fight infections from bacteria and viruses. Nanomaterials can also be included in some products, to make them stronger or longer lasting. However, despite their advantages, we must be cautious with nanomaterials because they can sometimes get past the barriers in the human body that protect us from foreign invaders, causing damage to cells and potentially making people sick. Let us see how their size changes where they go and what they can do
Developmental stages and molecular phylogeny of Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi (Dias 1953) (Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) in tortoises Stigmochelys pardalis (Cryptodira: Testudinidae) and ticks of the genus Amblyomma (Acari: Ixodidae) from South Africa
Get PDFArticle, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management)--Northwest University, Potchefstroom CampusBackground Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi (Dias, 1953) is a frequently found haemogregarine of southern African tortoises. At the time of this species’ reassignment from the genus Haemogregarina to Hepatozoon, developmental stages such as sporocysts and sporozoites were observed in ticks associated with H. fitzsimonsi parasitised and non-parasitised tortoises. It was thus suggested that ticks may act as the potential vectors for this parasite. However, this earlier research was unable to confirm the identity of these sporogonic stages using molecular markers. In a separate study aimed at identifying tick species parasitising South African reptiles and molecularly screening these for the presence of Hepatozoon, that study identified H. fitzsimonsi in tortoise-associated ticks. Thus, the present study aimed to revisit the potential of ticks to act as vectors for H. fitzsimonsi in tortoises using a combined microscopy and molecular approach.
Methods Specimens of Kinixys natalensis, Kinixys spekii, Kinixys zombensis and Stigmochelys pardalis were collected from Bonamanzi and Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa. Upon capture, animals were examined for ticks, and these were collected along with blood and other tissues. Adult ticks were dissected and visceral impression slides were prepared along with thin blood and tissue smears on clean microscope slides. Smears and impression slides were stained with Giemsa, screened and micrographs of parasites were captured. Two primer sets were employed to target fragments of the 18S rRNA gene of parasites found in both tortoises and ticks and the resulting sequences were then compared with other known H. fitzsimonsi and haemogregarine sequences from the GenBank database.
Results Peripheral blood gamont and liver merogonic stages were observed in S. pardalis, while the sporogonic stages were observed in the haemocoel of Amblyomma ticks. Gamont and sporocyst stages compared morpho- logically with previous descriptions of H. fitzsimonsi, identifying them as this species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the blood and tick sequences obtained in this study clustered in a monophyletic clade comprising known H. fitzsimonsi.
Conclusions The present study provides further support for ticks acting as the vectors of H. fitzsimonsi by molecularly identifying and linking observed developmental stages in tortoises (S. pardalis) with those in the invertebrate host
Amblyomma spp.)
A digital procurement framework for South African public sector: A content analysis approach.
Get PDFJournal Article. NWU Business School, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, MahikengBackground
Public procurement plays a pivotal role in the South African economy and accounts for a significant portion of public expenditure. The effective management of procurement processes is crucial for ensuring that money is spent wisely and there is an efficient service delivery. However, the paper-based procurement systems have been plagued by inefficiencies.
Objectives
To address the challenges of paper-based procurement systems, the study developed a digital procurement framework. The development of a digital procurement framework for the South African public sector represents a strategic response to these challenges and aims to leverage cutting-edge digital technologies to revolutionise the way that the government procures goods and services.
Method
The study followed a qualitative research methodology in which content analysis was used to identify themes. Subsequently, a thematic analysis was conducted to formulate the components of the proposed framework. The study facilitated an understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing.
Results
The literature revealed that Industry 4.0 technologies are crucial as they present opportunities which are consistent with legislation like scalability, cost efficiency, collaboration, transparency, accountability and process efficiency.
Conclusion
Implementing procurement reforms effectively will result in a public sector procurement system that is responsible, offers value for money and ensures high-quality service delivery.
Contribution
The study contributed to the body of knowledge by providing a guide for a digital procurement of South Africa’s public sector and impact of technology on public procurement
Exploring coping mechanisms of nurses against burnout in a psychiatric hospital in Botswana
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Health Sciences, Quality In Nursing and Midwifery (NuMiQ)-- Potchefstroom CampusBackground: Nurses are in the forefront of the health care force and nursing is one of the most draining occupations causing emotional and physical exhaustion. Literature has shown that nurses working in a psychiatric hospital experience burnout more than those working in general hospitals. Even though nurses experience burnout in the workplace, they use different mechanisms to cope to improve nursing care. The study aims at exploring how they cope with burnout in the workplace.
Objective: To explore and describe the coping mechanisms that nurses use to improve coping with burnout in a psychiatric hospital in Botswana.
Setting and Sampling: Purposive sampling selected 10 nurses who were working in a certain psychiatric hospital in Botswana.
Methods: The study used a qualitative research design with explorative and descriptive approaches. Data collection was conducted by telephone due to the Covid-19 restrictions and a semi-structured guiding tool was utilised. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Four main themes emerged from the study namely, coping with burnout in a psychiatric hospital, factors contributing to burnout among nurses, manifestations of burnout and suggestions to improve burnout. Some of the coping sub-themes were debriefing with friends and colleagues, engaging in activities outside work and lastly playing board games with patients.
Conclusion: The study has shown that nurses use different coping mechanisms to deal with burnout including social support mechanisms.Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge North West University for funding this research and all those who made this study possible through their participation