Cognitive Appraisal as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Stress and Burnout

Abstract

Background: This study analysed the mediating role of cognitive appraisal on the relationship between occupational stress and burnout. Methods: Participants were 333 university teachers, from north of Portugal (Age: M = 42.67; SD = 6.87). Measures included the Stress Questionnaire for Academic Staff (Gomes, 2010) to assess occupational sources of stress; the Cognitive Appraisal Scale (Gomes, 2008) to measure primary and secondary cognitive appraisals; and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey (Maslach et al., 1996) to evaluate burnout dimensions. Findings: Model 1 tested the mediating role of primary cognitive appraisal (e.g., threat and challenge perceptions) between stress and burnout. The model presented good fit indices (RMSEA = 0.054; CFI = 0.91; TLI = 0.90), explaining 69% of the variance in burnout. Model 2 tested the mediating role of secondary cognitive appraisal (e.g., coping potential and control perception) between stress and burnout. The model presented good fit indices (RMSEA = 0.052; CFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.91), explaining 50% of the variance. Discussion: Data confirmed that cognitive appraisals partially mediated the relationship between occupational stress and burnout at work. These findings constitute a promising underlying mechanism in the explanation of adaptation at work, which must be considered in occupational stress intervention programs.