The Relationship between Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Job Burnout among University Librarians

Extended Abstract

Background

The inadequate physical condition of the library and non-observance of ergonomic principles can cause harmful consequences for librarians and library staff. So, being aware of the extent of musculoskeletal disorders and job burnout among the working librarians may result in the improvement of working conditions in libraries and increasing librarians' job satisfaction alongside their work productivity. Job burnout includes three main components: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment. It can also affect job accomplishment, physical health, and mental health. On the other hand, musculoskeletal disorders are the second cause of short-term absence from work due to illness. This type of disorder has imposed high expenses on the health care systems of countries, including direct and indirect expenditures. Research has shown a significant relationship between job burnout and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as varying degrees of musculoskeletal disorders and job burnout among library staff. Accordingly, this study aimed to optimize the performance of human resources and identify the relationship between work-related musculoskeletal disorders and burnout to help in planning to reduce the rate of burnout.
Methods

The statistical population of this correlational-descriptive and applied research consisted of all librarians working in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences and Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. We included a total of 126 librarians providing specialized library services. All participants gave an informed consent to participate in the study and completed the questionnaires. The exclusion criteria were having congenital disabilities; any previous surgery on musculoskeletal parts of the body performed as a result of accidents outside the workplace (e.g., injuries caused by a car accident or falling from a height); use of maternity leave; carrying out non-library activities (such as workmen, keepers, secretaries, etc.); and filling out the questionnaires incompletely.To collect data, we used three questionnaires, including a demographic information, Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire, and Maslach Burnout Inventory.Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire (CMDQ): this questionnaire has three parts, including frequency of discomfort, severity of discomfort, and the effects on work power during the last working week. It has been designed in two separate types for men and women. The CMDQ has 36 + 36 items/questions, as well as three components concerning the number of times of pain, the amount of pain, and the effect of pain on work power expressed on a 3-point Likert scale.Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI): this questionnaire includes 25 questions in the form of four component subtests (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal achievement, and conflict) with two scales of "frequency" and "strength." The "frequency" of each burnout item is determined using 7-grade scale (0 = never, 6 = daily) and "strength" by using 7-grade scale (0 = none, 6 = very severe). Achieving higher scores in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and a lower score in personal achievement indicates a higher rate of burnout.
Results

The score of "45" was determined as the baseline for the CMDQ. Based on this, the level of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among the examined librarians was lower than the baseline level.The score of "4" was determined as the baseline for the MBI. Moreover, the level of job burnout along with all its components (i.e., emotional exhaustion, personal achievement, conflict, and depersonalization) in terms of both frequency and strength was found to be lower than the baseline level.There was a significant positive relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and job-related burnout among librarians. Also, the coefficient of determination showed that 0.22 variance of the job-related burnout among these librarians was caused by musculoskeletal disorders.There was a significant positive relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and emotional exhaustion among the librarians. Also, the coefficient of determination showed that 0.08 variance of emotional exhaustion among these librarians was caused by musculoskeletal disorders.There was a significant positive relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and depersonalization among the librarians. Also, the coefficient of determination showed that 0.9 variance of depersonalization among these librarians was caused by musculoskeletal disorders.There was a significant positive relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and conflict among the librarians. Also, the coefficient of determination showed that 0.08 variance of conflict among these librarians was caused by musculoskeletal disorders.There was a significant negative relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and personal achievement among the librarians. Also, the coefficient of determination showed that 0.17 variance of personal achievement among these librarians was caused by musculoskeletal disorders.
Conclusion

According to our results, most musculoskeletal injuries were observed in the upper half of the body (78.9% in the neck, 77.6% in the shoulder, and 37.8% in the lower leg). When there is an increase in the rate of musculoskeletal disorders at work, there is also a corresponding rise in all components of job-related burnout (except for personal achievement); thus, the more the musculoskeletal disorders, the higher the rate of emotional exhaustion among librarians. Increasing the rate of emotional exhaustion leads to a decrease in an individual's ability to adapt to stressors, as well as the occurrence of job burnout. When a person scores high on emotional exhaustion, s/he experiences a decrease in energy. This, in turn, decreases the individual's motivation, morale, and job incentives.Depersonalization ultimately leads to mental disorders; however, since the rate of depersonalization among the librarians was lower than the baseline score, the staff generally had a positive reaction and did not have an excessive inattention towards their clients.