Article section

Article title
Contributor
Abstract
About article
DOI
Citation style
Copyright
Open access
References
Research Article

Professional Burnout among Medical Laboratory Workers in Ghana: The Moderating Role of Perfectionism and Psychological Capital

Authors

  • Caleb Otabil Department of Public Health and Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, The School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8090-3191

    otabilcaleb@gmail.com

  • Alice Ma Department of Public Health and Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, The School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, USA
  • Huaibo Xin Department of Public Health and Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, The School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, USA
  • Mainprice Akuoko Essuman School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, USA

Abstract

This research examines the correlation between perfectionism, psychological capital (PsyCap), and burnout in medical laboratory personnel in Ghana, employing the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) paradigm. A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilised, involving a convenience sample of 253 medical laboratory personnel. Data were gathered through an online questionnaire evaluating burnout, perfectionism, and psychological capital (PsyCap). The research indicated that perfectionism served as a substantial job requirement, positively correlated with emotional weariness and disengagement—two fundamental aspects of burnout. Psychological capital was identified as a job resource that strongly regulated the connection between perfectionism and burnout, indicating that elevated levels of PsyCap mitigated the adverse impacts of perfectionism. A surprising inverse correlation between perfectionism and fatigue was discovered in certain subgroups, potentially suggesting the adaptive characteristics of perfectionism in high-precision occupations. The results emphasise the significance of psychological capital in alleviating burnout and stress the necessity for focused interventions at the institutional, governmental, and individual levels. Recommendations encompass the establishment of PsyCap training programs, the adoption of workload management measures, and the formulation of mental health policies to assist medical laboratory staff in Ghana. Subsequent study ought to investigate the causal links among these variables utilising longitudinal designs and more representative populations.

Keywords:

Burnout Ghana Medical Laboratory Workers Perfectionism Psychological Capital

Article information

Journal

Journal of Life Science and Public Health

Volume (Issue)

1(2), (2025)

Pages

29-38

Published

07-10-2025

How to Cite

Otabil, C., Ma, A., Xin, H., & Essuman, M. A. (2025). Professional Burnout among Medical Laboratory Workers in Ghana: The Moderating Role of Perfectionism and Psychological Capital. Journal of Life Science and Public Health, 1(2), 29-38. https://doi.org/10.69739/jlsph.v1i2.977

References

Adu-Gyasi, D., Bayong, A. R., Atuahene, O. O. D., Adedze-Kpodo, R. K., Omari, M. A., Amewonye, M., Degenu, V.A., Armah, J. K., Adam, A. L., Amuzu, P. S., Gyampomah, T. K., & Awinibuno, I. A. N. (2022). The practice of Medical Laboratory Science Post-Act 857 era: Perceived role conflicts with ‘Laboratory Physicians’ and other scientists in Ghana. Annals of Medical Laboratory Science, 2(2), 1–11. 10.51374/annalsmls.2022.2.2.0059

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483385686

D'souza, F., Egan, S. J., & Rees, C. S. (2011). The relationship between perfectionism, stress and burnout in clinical psychologists. Behaviour Change, 28(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1375/bech.28.1.17

Demerouti, E., Mostert, K., & Bakker, A. B. (2010). Burnout and work engagement: a thorough investigation of the independency of both constructs. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 15(3), 209–222. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0019408

Duah, E., Amoah, S., Addy, N. A., & Ephraim, R. K. (2022). Factors affecting job satisfaction and retention of Medical Laboratory Professionals in Ghana. African Journal of Management Research, 29(1), 2–24.

Fagbenle, E. (2025). Leveraging predictive analytics to optimize healthcare delivery, resource allocation, and patient outcome forecasting systems. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 6(4), 6224–6239. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.6.0425.14143

Hayes, A. F. (2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. Guilford Press. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2011.01215.x

Hill, A. P., & Curran, T. (2016). Multidimensional perfectionism and burnout: A meta-analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 20(3), 269–288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868315596286

Hilton, T. (2017). Study Results: Effect of Burnout on Clinical Lab Turnover Intention. MedicalLab Management, 6(5).

Ibikunle, P., Amah, E., & Useh, U. (2016). Prevalence and pattern of burnout syndrome among healthcare professionals in a university teaching hospital. Tropical Journal of Medical Research, 19(2), 144.

Kamal, A. H., Bull, J. H., Wolf, S. P., Swetz, K. M., Shanafelt, T. D., Ast, K., Kavalieratos, D., Sinclair, C. T., & Abernethy, A. P. (2016). Prevalence and Predictors of Burnout Among Hospice and Palliative Care Clinicians in the U.S. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 51(4), 690–696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.10.020

Koo, B. K. (2021). Position of laboratory scientist, analyst, and technologist in standard occupation classification. International Journal of Biomedical Laboratory Science, 10, 75–85.

Lawal, O., Oyebamiji, H. O., Kelenna, I. J., Chioma, F. J., Oyefeso, E., Adeyemi, B. I., Foster-Pagaebi, E., & Moses, E. F. (2025). A review on usage of digital health literacy to combat antibiotic misuse and misinformation in Nigeria: Review article. Journal of Pharma Insights and Research, 3(2), 258–269. https://doi.org/10.69613/dja1jc18

Luthans, F., Youssef, C. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2007). Psychological capital: Investing and developing positive organizational behavior. Positive Organizational Behavior, 1(2), 9–24. http://digital.casalini.it/9781847878342

Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W. B., & Leiter, M. P. (2001). Job burnout. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 397–422. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397

Moghaddasi, J., Mehralian, H., Aslani, Y., Masoodi, R., & Amiri, M. (2013). Burnout among nurses working in medical and educational centers in Shahrekord, Iran. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 18(4), 294.

Moyer, F., Aziz, S., & Wuensch, K. (2017). From workaholism to burnout: psychological capital as a mediator. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 10(3), 213-227. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-10-2016-0074

Patel, B. R., Khanpara, B. G., Mehta, P. I., Patel, K. D., & Marvania, N. P. (2021). Evaluation of perceived social stigma and burnout, among health-care workers working in covid-19 designated hospital of India: A cross-sectional study. Asian Journal of Social Health and Behavior, 4(4), 156. https://doi.org/10.4103/shb.shb_54_21

Peterson, S. J., Luthans, F., Avolio, B. J., Walumbwa, F. O., & Zhang, Z. (2011). Psychological capital and employee performance: A latent growth modeling approach. Personnel Psychology, 64(2), 427–450. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2011.01215.x

Robakowska, M., Tyrańska-Fobke, A., Walkiewicz, M., Tartas, M., Ślęzak, D., Tomczak, W., ... & Jałtuszewska, S. (2021). Perfectionism and burnout in health care professionals. EmErgEncy mEdical SErvicE, 8(4), 219–224. https://doi.org/10.36740/EmeMS202104103

Rotenstein, L. S., Torre, M., Ramos, M. A., Rosales, R. C., Guille, C., Sen, S., & Mata, D. A. (2018). Prevalence of burnout among physicians: a systematic review. Jama, 320(11), 1131–1150. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.12777

Taris, T. W., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2015). The job demands‐resources model. The Wiley Blackwell handbook of the psychology of occupational safety and workplace health (pp. 155-180). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118979013.ch8

Youssef, D., Youssef, J., Abou-Abbas, L., Kawtharani, M., & Hassan, H. (2022). Prevalence and correlates of burnout among physicians in a developing country facing multi-layered crises: A cross-sectional study. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16095-5

Downloads

Views

0

Downloads

0