Time Pressure and Health-Related Loss of Productivity in University Students

The Mediating Role of Exhaustion

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22073402
AutoresBurkhard Gusy (0000-0001-7627-6175, Freie Universität Berlin, autor de correspondencia), Tino Lesener (0000-0002-8062-0669, Freie Universität Berlin, autor de correspondencia), Christine Wolter (0000-0002-3392-1055, Freie Universität Berlin)
Año2021
Volumen9
Páginas653440-653440
Fecha de publicación2021-04-27
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditorialFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2021.653440
PMID33987165
OpenAlexW3158322920
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas10
Referencias citadas45

Introduction: Being present at work when sick is not just prevalent in employees. Since university is also a demanding context, there is a growing interest in this phenomenon in university students. Especially students with mental health issues show a higher degree of productivity loss. However, little research has examined the causes of these productivity losses—especially in university students. Therefore, we examined health-related (burnout) and non-health-related (time pressure) aspects that lead to productivity losses in the long run. Methods: We decided to examine the effect from time pressure on health-related loss of productivity, mediated by exhaustion. This assumption is in line with the health impairment process proposed by the Study Demands-Resources (SD-R) framework. To examine this assumption properly, we conducted a longitudinal study with three occasions. We surveyed 392 students in three waves over 1 year and performed structural equation modeling (SEM) to confirm the assumptions longitudinally. Results: In line with our assumptions, time pressure predicted burnout which, in turn, predicted health-related loss of productivity in the long run. Hence—as assumed by the SD-R framework—burnout serves as a mediator between study demands and negative outcomes such as loss of productivity. Discussion: Our study is the first that uncovers health-related and non-health-related causes of health-related productivity loss in university students. Thus, we were able to confirm SD-R's health impairment process longitudinally. Since we know that time pressure serves as a major antecedent for burnout and health-related loss of productivity, we are well-advised to establish appropriate interventions to reduce students' time pressure

Burnout · Demographic economics · Economic growth · Economics · Mental health · Productivity · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Employment and Welfare Studies · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Workplace Health and Well-being · Gerontology