Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment: exploring burnout in Gaza’s healthcare workforce during the war
Abstract Background Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and diminished personal accomplishment (PA), has been extensively studied in various populations. However, there is limited research on burnout among healthcare workers (HCWs) in conflict zones, particul...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Middle East Current Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-025-00519-9 |
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| author | Belal Aldabbour Latefa Ali Dardas Lama Hamed Hiba Alagha Rawan Alsaiqali Nusiba El-shanti Amaleed Al-Aydi Rawan Abu Warda Ola Madi Lama Abumusameh Reem Hedeeb Haneen Alhayek Tasneem Alwahidi Malik Eid Juweid |
| author_facet | Belal Aldabbour Latefa Ali Dardas Lama Hamed Hiba Alagha Rawan Alsaiqali Nusiba El-shanti Amaleed Al-Aydi Rawan Abu Warda Ola Madi Lama Abumusameh Reem Hedeeb Haneen Alhayek Tasneem Alwahidi Malik Eid Juweid |
| author_sort | Belal Aldabbour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and diminished personal accomplishment (PA), has been extensively studied in various populations. However, there is limited research on burnout among healthcare workers (HCWs) in conflict zones, particularly in the Gaza Strip. This study aims to assess the prevalence of burnout, associated factors, coping strategies, and mental health among HCWs in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing conflict. Methods This cross-sectional study included 667 HCWs from various hospitals. Burnout was assessed using the Arabic version of the MBI-HSS Burnout Scale, which evaluates EE, DP, and PA. Sociodemographic and job-related characteristics, war-related experiences, coping mechanisms, and access to mental health services were also documented. Univariable analyses were followed by multivariable linear regression to identify factors associated with burnout subscales. Results Among the participants, 53% were female, and the median age was 25–34 years. Most participants were nurses (54.6%) or physicians (32.2%), with 39.7% living in tents due to forced displacement. High levels of EE, DP, and low PA were observed in 52%, 25%, and 40% of participants, respectively. Religious coping was the most reported mechanism (63.7%), but 78% lacked access to mental health services. Regression analyses identified significant associations between burnout subscales and variables such as age, profession, religious coping, and access to mental health services. Physicians reported higher EE, while religious coping and mental health access were associated with lower DP and higher PA. Conclusions HCWs in Gaza demonstrate alarmingly high burnout levels exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and inadequate mental health infrastructure. Religious coping emerged as a prominent mechanism, yet gaps in mental health service availability remain critical. Interventions to support HCWs’ mental health and address burnout are urgently needed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-47b772e2ae22407093c0faed40507889 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2090-5416 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Middle East Current Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-47b772e2ae22407093c0faed405078892025-08-20T01:48:52ZengSpringerOpenMiddle East Current Psychiatry2090-54162025-03-013211910.1186/s43045-025-00519-9Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment: exploring burnout in Gaza’s healthcare workforce during the warBelal Aldabbour0Latefa Ali Dardas1Lama Hamed2Hiba Alagha3Rawan Alsaiqali4Nusiba El-shanti5Amaleed Al-Aydi6Rawan Abu Warda7Ola Madi8Lama Abumusameh9Reem Hedeeb10Haneen Alhayek11Tasneem Alwahidi12Malik Eid Juweid13Faculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaThe University of JordanFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaThe Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Jordan University Hospitaland, the University of Jordanaq Abstract Background Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and diminished personal accomplishment (PA), has been extensively studied in various populations. However, there is limited research on burnout among healthcare workers (HCWs) in conflict zones, particularly in the Gaza Strip. This study aims to assess the prevalence of burnout, associated factors, coping strategies, and mental health among HCWs in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing conflict. Methods This cross-sectional study included 667 HCWs from various hospitals. Burnout was assessed using the Arabic version of the MBI-HSS Burnout Scale, which evaluates EE, DP, and PA. Sociodemographic and job-related characteristics, war-related experiences, coping mechanisms, and access to mental health services were also documented. Univariable analyses were followed by multivariable linear regression to identify factors associated with burnout subscales. Results Among the participants, 53% were female, and the median age was 25–34 years. Most participants were nurses (54.6%) or physicians (32.2%), with 39.7% living in tents due to forced displacement. High levels of EE, DP, and low PA were observed in 52%, 25%, and 40% of participants, respectively. Religious coping was the most reported mechanism (63.7%), but 78% lacked access to mental health services. Regression analyses identified significant associations between burnout subscales and variables such as age, profession, religious coping, and access to mental health services. Physicians reported higher EE, while religious coping and mental health access were associated with lower DP and higher PA. Conclusions HCWs in Gaza demonstrate alarmingly high burnout levels exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and inadequate mental health infrastructure. Religious coping emerged as a prominent mechanism, yet gaps in mental health service availability remain critical. Interventions to support HCWs’ mental health and address burnout are urgently needed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-025-00519-9Armed conflictsDepersonalizationEmotional exhaustionGaza stripHealthcare providersMotivation |
| spellingShingle | Belal Aldabbour Latefa Ali Dardas Lama Hamed Hiba Alagha Rawan Alsaiqali Nusiba El-shanti Amaleed Al-Aydi Rawan Abu Warda Ola Madi Lama Abumusameh Reem Hedeeb Haneen Alhayek Tasneem Alwahidi Malik Eid Juweid Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment: exploring burnout in Gaza’s healthcare workforce during the war Middle East Current Psychiatry Armed conflicts Depersonalization Emotional exhaustion Gaza strip Healthcare providers Motivation |
| title | Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment: exploring burnout in Gaza’s healthcare workforce during the war |
| title_full | Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment: exploring burnout in Gaza’s healthcare workforce during the war |
| title_fullStr | Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment: exploring burnout in Gaza’s healthcare workforce during the war |
| title_full_unstemmed | Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment: exploring burnout in Gaza’s healthcare workforce during the war |
| title_short | Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment: exploring burnout in Gaza’s healthcare workforce during the war |
| title_sort | emotional exhaustion depersonalization and personal accomplishment exploring burnout in gaza s healthcare workforce during the war |
| topic | Armed conflicts Depersonalization Emotional exhaustion Gaza strip Healthcare providers Motivation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-025-00519-9 |
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