Structural impairment and conflict load as vulnerability factors for burnout - A cross-sectional study from the German working population.

Introduction: Individual vulnerability and resilience factors are increasingly studied in burnout research. This is especially true for clinical variables that translate directly into intervention programs from a psychodynamic perspective. For example, few studies have examined the relationship between structural impairment and the individual spectrum of motivational conflicts according to the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis system (OPD) in relation to burnout. To substantiate previous findings, we hypothesized that structural impairment as well as motivational conflicts are related to burnout, but that structural impairment explained additional variance and mediated a possible relationship between conflicts and burnout. Method: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of the German working population (N = 545). Questionnaires were used to measure structural impairment (OPD-SQS), the conflict-modes along with the category K0 (OPD-CQ), as well as burnout (BOSS-I/-II). Results: Structural impairment, a number of conflict modes, and burnout were significantly associated. Moreover, structural impairment explained additional variance in burnout. The requirements for the conflict-specific mediation models were given for 9 of the 12 OPD conflict modes. In these models the impact of the conflict modes on burnout was mediated by structural impairment. Discussion: The current study broadens the comprehension of the relations between structural impairment, the conflict modes and burnout. In addition it higlights the role of structural impairment in predicting burnout risk and possible prevention approaches.

[The latent structure of psychodynamic and psychological personality models: Conjoint investigation of OPD-CQ, OPD-SQS and BFI-2]. / Die latente Struktur von psychodynamischen und psychologischen Persönlichkeitsmodellen: Eine gemeinsame Untersuchung von OPD-KF, OPD-SFK und BFI-2.

The latent structure of psychodynamic and psychological personality models: Conjoint investigation of OPD-CQ, OPD-SQS and BFI-2 Objectives: Meanwhile, psychodynamic self-report questionnaires for the assessment of structure and conflict as aspects of personality have been developed. References to the psychological Big Five model, which is becoming more important due to the ongoing paradigm shift in the medical classification systems of personality disorders, are still unclear. Methods: The hierarchical factor structure of the psychodynamic scales of the OPD Conflict Questionnaire (OPD-CQ) and the short version of the OPD Structure Questionnaire (OPDSQS) as well as the psychological scales of the Big Five Inventory 2 (BFI-2) was investigated. The study was based on a representative sample of the German working population considering gender, age and place of residence (N = 545). Results: Factor analysis suggested the seven factors Negative Emotionality, Extraversion, Structural Impairment, Conscientiousness, Openness, Dissociality and Oedipal Conflict (explained variance = 56.84 %). Overlaps between psychodynamic and psychological scales were found with regard to Negative Emotionality, Extraversion and Agreeableness. Psychodynamic scales did not cover Conscientiousness and Openness, while the level of personality functioning and the role of sexuality were not covered by psychological scales. Discussion: The study provides important information regarding the relationship between psychodynamic concepts and the Big Five.