Los factores asociados al desgaste en cuidadores formales del sector público de la ciudad de Cuenca durante el año

Abstract

Abstract: This research aims to identify factors associated with burnout in 34 formal caregivers in the Cuenca canton during the year 2024. A quantitative, non-experimental, and descriptive approach was employed. Five instruments were applied: the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL V), the Empathic Distress Inventory (IDE), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The results show that 44% of caregivers do not report burden; however, 38.2% experience high levels of work overload, which negatively impacts their mental health and professional performance. Likewise, a high prevalence of empathic distress and low compassion satisfaction was observed in 52.9% of participants, associated with weak self-care networks and limited institutional support. Finally, elevated levels of burnout were found across its three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. In conclusion, caregivers face significant emotional strain, highlighting the need for psychosocial and structural interventions to reduce and manage care-related burden by strengthening the emotional well-being of the staff.