Relationship between mental fatigue and burnout syndrome in remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review/Relacao entre fadiga mental e sindrome de burnout no contexto do teletrabalho durante a pandemia de covid-19: uma revisao integrativa

• Published in: Revista brasileira de medicina do trabalho 2023-10, Vol.21 (3)
• Main Author: Urrejola-Contreras, Gabriela P
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: Case studies; Epidemics; Fatigue; Mediation; Telecommuting; Workers
• ISSN: 1679-4435
• DOI: 10.47626/1679-4435-2022-1003

This study aimed to analyze the scientific evidence available in the literature addressing the relationship between mental fatigue and burnout associated with teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic through an integrative review. This review searched the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Taylor & Francis, Embase, ScienceDirect, and SciELO using the DeCS and MeSH health sciences descriptors. The included articles were published between March and December 2021, during the pandemic. Of a total of 224 results, 215 articles were excluded and 9 were considered for the preparation of this integrative review. Mental fatigue was related to technostress, somatic symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia (p < 0.05), and loss of motivation (p < 0.05). Burnout was positively associated with work overload, high interdependence, and lower role clarity. The presence of a stressful factor and a protective factor was evidenced in burnout: intrusive leadership and workaholism, respectively. Greater exhaustion was observed in workers belonging to generation X (41 to 55 years old). Mental fatigue is related to exhaustion in the productive, physical, and psychological dimensions of individuals. Addiction to work has moderated this phenomenon, however, it is urgent to limit and optimize work hours as well as promote disconnection and rest among workers within the framework of a healthy work policy. Keywords | professional burnout; teleworking; occupational diseases; occupational health. Este estudo pretendeu analisar as evidencias cientificas disponiveis na literatura sobre a relacao entre fadiga mental e esgotamento associados ao teletrabalho em tempos de pandemia de covid-19 mediante uma revisao integrativa. Esta revisao incluiu a pesquisa nos seguintes bancos de dados: PubMed, Scopus, Taylor & Francis, Embase, Science Direct e SciELO. Usando os descritores DeCs e MeSH de ciencias da saude, os artigos incluidos foram datados entre marco e dezembro de 2021, durante a pandemia. De um total de 224 resultados, 215 artigos foram excluidos, e 9 foram considerados para a elaboracao desta revisao integrativa. A fadiga mental foi relacionada ao tecnoestresse, a presenca de sintomas somaticos, como ansiedade e insonia (p < 0,05) e a perda de motivacao (p < 0,05). O esgotamento foi positivamente associada a sobrecarga, alta interdependencia e falta de clareza quanto a funcao do trabalhador. Evidenciou-se a presenca de um fator estressante e de um fator protetor em relacao ao esgotamento,