What does Maslach’s triad consist of?

Cristina Maslach is an authority on the so-called burnout syndrome, a condition that could be literally translated as “burning out” at work. This psychologist proposed a series of criteria known as Maslach’s triad and that describe the basic symptoms of job burnout.

Maslach’s triad is composed of three elements: fatigue or emotional exhaustion; lack of efficiency or decline in performance and achievements; and depersonalization at work. Cristina Maslach also developed a universal questionnaire to detect the presence of burnout syndrome.

It must be noted that burnout syndrome is not included in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), but within the community of psychologists and social workers, among others, it is recognized as a real state and differentiated from others. Let’s look in more detail at the elements of Maslach’s triad.

Fatigue, the first element in Maslach’s triad

Although more than 100 symptoms associated with Burnout Syndrome have been identified, it is considered that fatigue is the most relevant. It is also the main base of the Maslach triad. The fatigue discussed in this model is mainly emotional.

What there is in this case is an intense, persistent feeling of being emotionally drained. The person feels that he does not have the emotional resources to cope with his work and that his demands exceed him. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness predominate, regarding work in particular, but also regarding life in general.

appears the feeling that any demand professional is excessive. Likewise, there is great demotivation and a continuous feeling of frustration. Although the core of this fatigue is emotional, there is also physical fatigue as such.

Inefficiency, an obvious consequence

The second element in Maslach’s triad is inefficiency or decline in work performance and achievements. In this case, a personal perception also predominates, even more than real facts. The person feels incompetent and inadequate for the tasks entrusted to it.

There is also no feeling of personal gratification from work.. Basically you work by inertia and the results of your work are evaluated as not very valuable. There is a feeling of loss of effectiveness, accompanied by progressive difficulties in concentrating and a decrease in the ability to memorize.

Burnout syndrome is more common in competitive environments, in which “a positive attitude” or interpersonal relationships are highly valued. That is why it is not strange that That feeling of inefficiency is initially covered up with an excess of willingness to work., greater dedication and more apparent enthusiasm. This makes the situation worse.

It is very common that People in this state have more work absenteeism. There is a decrease in immunological resistance and, therefore, a higher incidence of colds and other pathologies. Likewise, lack of energy and problems with sleep.

Depersonalization at work

Depersonalization at work refers to a state in which there is isolation and avoidance of contact with colleagues. An emotional attitude of distancing, coldness and rejection predominates. Contemptuous attitudes towards others, irritability and lack of tolerance also occur.

This element of Maslach’s triad talks about the rejection of social relationships. In this state, a person avoids extra-work activities at all costs, and even work-related activities that involve meeting with others. The person with burnout syndrome also makes excuses to miss work.

The depersonalization referred to by Maslach’s triad It is not the same as that enshrined in psychopathology manuals.. In this case, contact with reality is not lost, from a mental point of view, but there is an isolation from that reality that is perceived in a distorted, but not delusional, way.

All of these signs appear more frequently in health professionals, teachers, security personnel and in almost all professions that involve direct and continuous contact with the recipients of a given service. The best way to end this problem is by adopting intelligent and adapted prevention measures.

You might be interested…