Personality Correlates of Burnout among Air Force Personnel

Kalpna Anand
Scientist 'D', Personality Division
Defence Institute of Psychological Research, DRDO, India
Yashwant Kumar Nagle
Scientist 'F', Personality Division
Defence Institute of Psychological Research, DRDO, India
INTRODUCTION
Military environment is challenging, stressful and optimal efficiency in this sector depends upon high
level of motivation and stress tolerance. The military aviation is tough and disciplined as personnel are
trained in the peacetime in order to be ready for any emergency when time comes. For this purpose the
training is hard and rules and regulations are very important and are adhered to in the same spirit. This
inherently stressful and demanding environment predisposes personnel to burnout as there is less
control over the work requirements and situations; there are restrictions, rules, regulations, and
responsibilities.
Burnout is a prolonged response to chronic emotional and inter-personal stressors on the job, and is
defined by three dimensions of exhaustion, cynicism and inefficacy (Maslach, Schaufeli & Leiter,
2001). Personnel who experience burnout are alienated and derive less satisfaction from the work.
Burnout results in psychosomatic complaints and negative attitude towards work (Martinussen &
Richardsen, 2006). Burnout is positively related to years of experience, age and work stresses and
negatively related to social support among Air Traffic Control Personnel (Dellerba, Venturi, Rizzof &
Pancherri, 1994). Research has shown that individual personality characteristics are related to greater
propensity to burnout (Beasley, Thompson & Davidson, 2003; Zellers, Hochwarter, Perrew, Hoffman
& Ford, 2004). Personality dimensions predict burnout components differentially. Workers who have
frequent, intense or emotionally charged interactions with others are more susceptible to burnout
(Cordes & Dougherty, 1993).
Personality refers to those characteristics of the person that account for consistent patterns of feelings,
thinking, and behaving (Pervin, Cervone & John, 2005, p. 6). Basic personality factors moderate the
relationship between relative number of negative experiences and burnout, and personality may help to
protect against known risks of developing burnout (Bakker, Van der Zee KI, & Dollard, 2006).
Personnel going to war with their emotional instabilities and baggage may become a liability to the
nations defence forces rather than an asset both during and after war. In a study the results showed
that PTSD patients were significantly more neurotic than were major depressives (Jonathan, Kudler &
Rebecca, 1987). In a similar study, POW survivors assigned diagnoses of PTSD differed significantly
from their nondiagnosed counterparts on most factors of personality and mood functioning (Patricia,
Franlynn & Albert, 1991). The purpose of all the branches of Air Force is the same; its only the arena
that changes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate relationship between big five personality factors and burnout among air force personnel
during peacetime. It also investigates the predictors of these personality factors on burnout among Air
Force Personnel and its possible effect on them during and after war.
HYPOTHESIS
1. There will be a significant relationship between personality dimensions and burnout among Air
Force personnel.
2. Personality factors will significantly predict burnout among Air Force Personnel.
www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 05, September 2014

Page 104

METHODOLOGY
Sample
The data for the present study was drawn from four location of Indian Air Force. The sample selected
for the Study consisted of 136 officers (Mean age = 31.36) from different educational background and
branches. This sample represented a cross - section of age groups. The mean age of the participants
were 31.36 with SD of 8.0. Majority of the participants were married (72 %). majority of the sample
reported non -alcoholic (66%) and non smokers (83%).
Description of the Tools
To assess the variables identified for the study the investigator used the following standardized
psychological tools.
Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1986)
It measures the magnitude of psychological burnout on three dimensions: diminished personal
accomplishment, depersonalization and emotional exhaustion. It consists of 29 statements which are to
be rated on a 7-point scale. It usually takes about 20 minutes to complete the test. Standard scoring
procedure was used.
NEO Five-Factor Inventory (FFI) (Costa & McCrae, 1992)
It consists of 60 items assessing an individual on five domains of personality, namely, Extraversion,
Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness. Every item is to be rated
on a 5-point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. It takes about 25 minutes to
complete the test. Standard scoring procedure was adopted.
Procedure
The data was collected from four locations of Indian Air Force. A number of interactions were
planned to facilitate the better communication. All the branches were called at different times so that
the group remains small as it gave investigator better chance to observe the group. They were given
instructions before filling up the questionnaires. They were provided with a pen and the legible copy of
the test. Queries were satisfied accordingly. The subjects filled up details like, age, branch, entry,
marital status, smoking, drinking, etc. They were given an option to leave the column of name and
service number blank if they liked. The purpose of the test was spelt out and it was ensured that the
confidentiality of their responses would be maintained. Investigator made it clear that there was no
time constraint but they should give the first response that comes to their mind. The average timetaken was 35 minutes. The data was collected from Administration/Education/accounts (23), logistics
(8), engineers (44), ATC (20), pilots (40) and navigators (15). Out of which 61% officers were postgraduates and 39% were graduates. The scoring was done manually and scores were entered in the
excel sheet manually by the investigator. 14 questionnaires were incomplete so they were discarded for
the purpose of this study.
Statistics Used
The survey data obtained were analyzed descriptively, zero order correlation and Stepwise Multiple
Regression was carried out to infer the personality predictors of burnout among Air Force Personnel.

www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 05, September 2014

Page 105

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1 shows the descriptive statistics for the sample
Variables
Age
Personal Accomplishment
Emotional Exhaustion
Depersonalization
Neuroticism
Extraversion
Openness
Agreeableness
Conscientiousness

Sample Size
136
136
136
136
136
136
136
136
136

Mean
31.60
29.58
19.73
7.93
21.63
30.93
24.86
28.45
30.06

SD
8.0
7.9
12.6
5.7
7.6
5.0
5.1
5.4
5.6

The average age of the sample was 31.60 years with SD of 8.0. The mean score on personal
accomplishment of this sample was found to be above average, on emotional exhaustion it was
average, and on depersonalization it came out to be in normal limits. The table shows means on the
five dimensions of personality with its respective SD and these descriptive scores of the sample show
below average neuroticism tendencies, above average extraversion, average limits of openness, above
average agreeableness and above average conscientiousness.
Table 2 shows the correlation among study variable for the sample
Variables
1
2
3
1.PA
1.00
2.E E
- 0.12
1.00
3.Depersonalization
- 0.10
0.64**
1.00
4.Neuroticism
-0.21** 0.52**
0.43**
5.Extraversion
-0.14
-0.29** 0.20*
6.Openness
-0.02
-0.08
-0.01
7.Agreeableness
0.13
-0.37** -0.40**
8.Conscientiousness
0.21*
-0.21*
-0.27**
* Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed)
** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed)

1.00
-0.33**
0.11
-0.57
-0.39**

1.00
0.26**
-.36**
0.38**

1.00
-0.09
-0.09

1.00
0.30**

1.00

The correlations among the big five personality variables, and dimension of burnout. Neuroticism
was found to be negatively related to Personal Accomplishment (r =-0.21) and positively to Emotional
Exhaustion (r =0.52), Depersonalization (r =0.43). Extraversion (r =-0.29), Agreeableness (r =-0.37),
and Conscientiousness (r =-0.21), shows negative correlation with Emotional Exhaustion.
Table 3 shows the Multiple Regression summaries of Personal Accomplishment for the sample
Predictor
Constant
R
Neuroticism
34.51
0.04
Dependent Variable: Personal Accomplishment

-0.21

F- value
6.74

Significance
0.01

It shows that Neuroticism dimension of big five personality as significant predictor of Personal
Accomplishment dimension of burnout. However, none of the other big five personality variables
contribute significantly to Personal Accomplishment. When compare to other variables Neuroticism
proves to be better predictor of Personal Accomplishment though it accounts for 4 percent variance in
the feeling of personal accomplishment. It shows that higher the score on neuroticism, the lower will
be the personal Accomplishment.
www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 05, September 2014

Page 106

Table 4 shows the Multiple Regression summaries of Emotional Exhaustion for the sample
Predictor
Constant
R
Neuroticism
0.94
0.27
Dependent Variable: Emotional Exhaustion

0.52

F- value
51.0

Significance
0.01

It shows that Neuroticism dimension of big five personality as significant predictor of Emotional
Exhaustion dimension of burnout. However, none of the other big five personality variables contribute
significantly to Emotional Exhaustion. It accounts for 27 percent variance in emotional exhaustion
experience. When compare to other variables Neuroticism proves to be better predictor of Emotional
Exhaustion. It shows that higher the score on neuroticism, the higher will be the emotional exhaustion.

Table 5 shows the Multiple Regression summaries of Depersonalization for the sample
Predictors
Neuroticism
Agreeableness

Constant
0.85
9.95

R
0.18
0.22

0.43
-0.23

F- value
31.30
19.30

Significance
0.01
0.01

Dependent Variable: Depersonalization

The table 5 shows that Neuroticism and Agreeableness dimension of big five personality as significant
predictor of Depersonalization dimension of burnout. However, none of the other big five personality
variables contribute significantly to Depersonalization. When compare to other variables Neuroticism
and Agreeableness proves to be better predictors of Depersonalization. Neuroticism positively
contributes to Depersonalization. Neuroticism alone predicts 18 percent variance in the experience of
depersonalization but along with agreeableness it predicts 22 percent variance in depersonalization. So
it is inferred that more of Neurotic tendencies a person have the more will be his/ her experience of
Depersonalization. The addition of Agreeableness explains a further 4 per cent of the variance
(R=0.04) to depersonalization dimension of burnout.
When compare to other variables Neuroticism proves to be better predictor of Personal
Accomplishment. In a study of stress and burnout among doctors was found that greater stress and
burnout in doctors was related to the personality trait of neuroticism or negative affectivity (McManus,
Keeling & Paice, 2004). Study also shows that higher the score on neuroticism, the higher will be the
emotional exhaustion. It is supported by another study that neuroticism significantly predicted the
exhaustion and depersonalization components. The study reveals that neurotic tendencies play a major
role in the extent of depersonalization experienced. Personality attributes explain significant
proportions of three job burnout factors (Kim, Shin and Umbreit, 2007). The most noteworthy finding
is the predictability of the agreeableness trait in hotel employees job burnout and it confirms earlier
findings.
The findings of the study are supported by the literature. Hardiness protects against the ill effects of
stress, particularly high and multiple- stress conditions (Bartone, 1999). Measures of personality and
negative coping strategies significantly differentiated healthy veterans from those with Chronic
Fatigue syndrome (Nancy et al, 2000). The relationship between wartime stress and the personality
trait of neuroticism turned out to be fully mediated by the development of a negative world view
(Bramsen, Henk, Kamp & Herman, 2002). In a study of soldiers of RSA, Higher neuroticism and typeA personality was found to be related to higher chances of PTSD (Mijanovic, Svicevic, Kuljic, Milic
& Jankovic, 1997). In a study of Persian Gulf War returnees it was revealed that personal
characteristics and environment factors may alter vulnerability to negative war stress outcome
(Patricia, Davis, Uddo & Ditta, 1995). Personality factors like avoidance focused coping style were
associated with more acute stress reactions (Eid, Johnsen & Thayer, 2001). It shows that personality
www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 05, September 2014

Page 107

interacts with the environment that decides a persons adjustment to his surroundings. Neuroticism,
which means negative affectivity, diminishes the ability to think clearly, make decisions and cope
effectively with stress. The limitation of the study is that there is no direct involvement of the
personnel except fighter pilots on the field which makes it difficult to predict the behavior. Sample
consists of personnel of various branches so generalization becomes difficult.
CONCLUSION
Neuroticism dimension of big five personality was found to be negatively correlated with Personal
Accomplishment and positively correlated with Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization dimension
of burnout. Neuroticism dimension also emerged as a significant predictor of all the three dimensions
of burnout.
Agreeableness was found to be positively correlated with Personal Accomplishment and negatively
with Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization. This dimension of personality also emerged as a
significant predictor of Depersonalization dimension of burnout. Overall both Neuroticism and
Agreeableness dimension of big five personality emerged as significant predictor of burnout among
Personnel of IAF. The officers of Indian Air Force have reported stable personality and low incidence
of burnout but the fact remains that personality emerges as a significant predictor of burnout.
It is pertinent to screen the candidates, at the time of induction, on the personality dimension of
neuroticism and negative affectivity. The training academies may find it helpful to have specialized
training for the candidates who have little higher score on neuroticism. Intervention may be given to
the personnel already showing burnout symptoms, because burnout makes a person lethargic, hopeless,
and melancholic, it invariably lowers down the efficiency and productivity. It deteriorates the
concentration which is so crucial to all air force commitments. Putting personnel with negative
affectivity and burnout tendencies in the demanding profiles and situations may be counterproductive
to the aim of operational efficiency.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are forever grateful to Indian Air Force for permitting and participating in the study.
REFERENCES

Bakker AP, Van der Zee KI, Lewiq KA & Dollard MF (2006). The relationship between big
five personality factors and burnout: a study among volunteer counselor. Journal of social
psychology 146(1): 31-50
Bartone PT (1999). Hardiness protects against war-related stress in the army reserve forces.
Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 51 (2): 72-82
Beasley, M., Thompson, T., & Davidson, J (2003). Resilience in responses to life stress: The
effects of coping style and cognitive hardiness. Personality and Individual Differences 34(1):
77-95
Bramsen I, Henk M. van der pleog, Leo J T Kamp & Herman JA (2002). Exposure to
Traumatic War Events and Neuroticism: The Mediating Role of Attributing Meaning.
Personality and Individual Differences 32 (4): 747-760
Cordes C & Dougherty T (1993). A Review of Integration of Research on Job Burnout.
Academy of Management Review 18: 621-656
Costa, P. T., Jr., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R)
and NEO Five-Factor Inventory Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment
Resources.
Dellerba G, Venturi P, Rizzof, Pancherri P (1994). Burnout and health status in Italian
ATC. Aviation, space & Environment Medicine 77: 422-428

www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 05, September 2014

Page 108

Eid J, Johnsen BH & Thayer JF (2001). Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms Following

Shipwreck of a Norwegian Navy Frigate An Early Follow-up. Personality and Individual
Differences 30 (8) :1283-1295
Hyun Jeong Kim, Kang Hyun Shin and W. Terry Umbreit (2007). Hotel job burnout: The role
of personality characteristics. International Journal of Hospitality Management: 421-434
Jonathan D, Kudler H, Rebecca RN, (1987). Personality in Chronic post-traumatic stress
disorder: A study of the Eysenck inventory. Journal of Anxiety Disorders 1 (4): 295-300
Martinussen M, & Richardsen AM (2006). Air Traffic Controller Burnout: Survey Responses
Regarding Job Demands, Job Resources and Health. Aviation, space & Environment
Medicine, 65 (4): 315-322
Maslach C, Schaufeli WB & Leiter MP (2001). Job Burnout. Annual Review of Psychology
52:397-422
Maslach,C.,& Jackson, S.E.(1986). Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual (2nd Ed.) Palo Alto,
CA. Consulting Psychologist Press.
McManus IC, Keeling A & Paice E (2004). Stress, burnout and doctors attitude to work are
determined by personality and learning style: A 12 year longitudinal study of UK medical
graduates. BMC Medicine [doi] 2:29.
Mijanovic B, Svicevic R, Kuljic B, Milic D & Jankovic D (1997). PTSD: Epidemiological
aspects among soldiers of RSA. European Psychiatry 12 (2): 203
Nancy F, Gudrun L, Lana T, John D, Theresa P, Kathleen KM, Rita M, Leo K & Benjamin
N,(2000). Stressors, personality traits, and coping of gulf war veterans with chronic fatigue.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research 48 (6): 525 -535
Patricia BS, Davis JM, Uddo M & Ditta SR (1995). War Zone Stress, Personal Resources,
and PTSD in Persian Gulf War Returnees. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 104 (3): 444-452
Patricia BS, Franlynn B, albert NA, (1991). Psychometric prediction of PTSD among POW
survivors. Psychological Assessment, 3(1):105-110
Pervin, L.A., Cervone, D., & John, O.P. (2005). Personality: Theory and Research (9th ed)
Hoboken, NJ. John Wiley & Sons. Prentice Hall of India New Delhi.
Zellars KL, Hochwarter WA, Perrew PL, Hoffman N & Ford EW (2004). Experiencing Job
Burnout: The Roles of Positive and Negative Traits and States. Journal of Applied Social
Psychology 34 (5): 887911

www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 05, September 2014

Page 109