Age and Burnout: The mediating role of emotion-regulation strategies

Abstract

In the context of an aging workforce, this study explores the interaction between age, burnout, and emotion-regulation strategies (ERS). Despite recognized challenges in managing age diversity and employee well-being, the direct impact of age on burnout and the mediating role of ERS remain unexplored. Analyzing data from 604 Portuguese workers (aged 18–65), this study utilizes a mediation model to investigate if age is directly related to the main problems that affect the workforce presently, focusing specifically on burnout and the role that emotion-regulation abilities (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) have in controlling the burnout effects (measured by emotional exhaustion and disengagement). The findings indicate that age does not have a straightforward linear relationship with burnout or ERS choice. Although age alone does not significantly influence burnout outcomes, ERS markedly impacts these outcomes, suggesting that factors beyond age predominantly drive ERS selection and effectiveness in managing burnout. This study emphasizes the critical role of ERS in influencing burnout, suggesting the importance of equipping workers with effective emotion-regulation skills to mitigate burnout risks. Further research is warranted to disentangle the complex interrelations among age, burnout, and ERS in organizational contexts.