Academic CentreBurnout and Mental Health Problems as a Reason for Occupational Change: Essential Considerations for Choosing a New Occupation
Oksana Žabko
Maintenance of mental health at workplace has received interest before the COVID-19 pandemic, but has become increasingly important since then. In Latvia, however, mental health issues have received less concern at a policy making level or in organizational settings, leaving the solution of the problem up to the individual. As the most crucial option, a change of occupation has been observed. This article, is based on biographical (life story) interviews, and analyses of individual’s resources that have contributed to awareness of burnout or mental disorders due to the work environment and the considerations which were important in choosing a new occupation.
The dynamic model of career choice development introduced by van Esbroeck and colleagues (2005) was applied in analysis of the decision-making to change occupation. Awareness of the need to solve the problem, exploration of their own interests and resources, exploration of the work and organizational environment and of the option as one of last resort are described.
The study explores diverse reasons for occupational change related to burnout at work, resulting from: (1) inappropriate initial choice of occupation, (2) long-term intensive work, (3) negative psychological climate within the workplace and (4) ones rapid advancement in career.. The reason of occupational mismatch lies with limited information about the professional daily routine or work unrelated considerations. In turn, intensive work is perceived as normal by some industries which reduce the workers’ ability to protect their rights.
Exploring of their own interests resulted in adjustment of vocational choices after reflecting on one’s own needs or receiving more information about the work environment in other industries through the social network. This involved one’s own assessment of the time and material resources available, and recognizing the need to acquire knowledge and skills specific to the new field. A change of occupation was perceived as possible when the interviewees had the opportunity to earn income from other sources, such as savings or loans instead of work.
Our results suggest that individuals review and adjust their initial decisions regarding occupational change over time especially when faced with real labor market opportunities or new specialties within an occupation, thus verifying the dynamic nature of the model proposed by van Esbroeck and colleagues.