Factores asociados al desgaste en cuidadores formales de la ciudad de Guayaquil durante el año 2024

Abstract

Abstract: This study analyzes the factors associated with professional burnout in formal caregivers working in private institutions in Guayaquil, Ecuador. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, and cross-sectional approach was applied to a non-probabilistic sample of 32 healthcare professionals from various caregiving fields (medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, social work, and occupational therapy). Standardized instruments such as the GHQ-12, Zarit scale, ProQOL, IDE, and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were used to assess perceived workload, psychological well-being, compassion fatigue, empathy burnout, and burnout syndrome. Findings reveal a generalized psychological discomfort, with high levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. Although participants reported low explicit overload, the combination of unstable job conditions, limited professional experience, and lack of institutional support indicates the presence of chronic and latent emotional strain. The study highlights the urgent need for institutional strategies focused on emotional regulation, self-care, and organizational well-being to ensure sustainable caregiving practices.