Prevalence of burnout symptoms among nursing professionals*

Authors

Keywords:

Health Promotion, Occupational Health, Mental Health, Burnout, Psychological, Burnout, Professional

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of burnout symptoms in a sample comprised by nursing workers.

Method: An observational and cross-sectional study with a non-probability sample. The study participants were 3,594 Brazilian nurses, nursing technicians and nursing assistants. The data were collected in an online environment between April and July 2022, using the burnout Assessment Tool - General version. In the data analysis phase, mean values were calculated and the burnout scores were classified into four levels.

Results: Predominance of exhaustion (42.29%), mental distance (38.59%), cognitive impairment (54.73%), emotional impairment (52.56%), and psychological distress and psychosomatic complaints (49.55%) at moderate levels was observed.

Conclusion: The predominance of burnout symptoms at moderate levels reinforces the need to implement effective strategies to prevent mental illness in nursing professionals, which includes reducing psychosocial risks in the labor context, aiming to promote healthy work environments.

Author Biographies

Lacir José Santin Júnior, Universidade de São Paulo

Nurse. Master's degree in Nursing. Postgraduate Program in Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Isabely Karoline da Silva Ribeiro, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Nurse. Master's degree in Nursing. Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, Postgraduate Program in Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Samuel Andrade de Oliveira, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Professor at the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Maynara Fernanda Carvalho Barreto, University of São Paulo

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Postdoctoral Researcher at the Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, Postgraduate Program in Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Ana Carolina Gomes Martins de Oliveira, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Nurse. Master's degree in Nursing. Doctoral candidate at the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, Postgraduate Program in Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Fernanda Ludmilla Rossi Rocha, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Professor at the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, Postgraduate Program in Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

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Published

2026-05-19

How to Cite

Santin Júnior, L. J., Ribeiro, I. K. da S., de Oliveira, S. A., Barreto, M. F. C., de Oliveira, A. C. G. M., & Rocha, F. L. R. (2026). Prevalence of burnout symptoms among nursing professionals*. Cogitare Enfermagem, 31. Retrieved from https://revistas.ufpr.br/cogitare/article/view/99103

Issue

Vol. 31 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Lacir José Santin Júnior, Isabely Karoline da Silva Ribeiro, Samuel Andrade de Oliveira, Maynara Fernanda Carvalho Barreto, Ana Carolina Gomes Martins de Oliveira, Fernanda Ludmilla Rossi Rocha

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