Background: In developing countries such as Mexico, the effects of burnout syndrome (BS) are observed in manufacturing industries. However, the relationships among BS, Job Content (JC), and Musculoskeletal Complaints (MC) are scarcely studied within the manufacturing sector, even though senior and middle managers are exposed to highly demanding and mentally exhausting situations.
Objectives: The objective of this paper is to determine the relationships among the three BS dimensions, MC, and JC among middle and senior managers of the manufacturing industry in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
Methods: The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and the Body Map assessment were administered as data collection instruments. The sample included 361 participants from six industries located in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Also, we proposed structural equations models (SEM) to establish the relationships among variables.
Results: The questionnaires and the model showed acceptable reliability and quality indices. Emotional exhaustion was the most relevant latent variable, having significant effects on MC and on professional efficacy, and significantly contributing to increasing levels of cynicism. On the other hand, the variable social support showed a negative direct impact on Job Demands and Emotional Exhaustion.
Conclusions: Actions to reduce emotional exhaustion at work include providing a positive and suitable work environment through social support. These strategies help prevent MC and improve professional efficacy, life quality at work, and productivity.
Keywords: Prevention; effects of work stress; emotional exhaustion; social support; structural equation modeling.