The role of burnout and depression in self-destructive behaviour of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army personnel

Abstract

Aim. The study aimed to investigate the role of job burnout and depression in self-destructive behaviour among the Islamic Republic of Iran Army personnel. Method. For the purpose of this study, a conceptual structural model, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), was designed and examined. Participants were 215 active duty personnel who completed a series of questionnaires to assess their mental health, level of burnout and propensity for depression. Results. The measurement model revealed that all indicators except self-efficacy had significant factor weight on their latent variable; therefore, the model was revised by omitting it. The modified measurement model showed good fitness according to five indices. The structural model results showed that both burnout (β=0.24) and depression (β=0.56) have a direct effect on self-destructive behaviour; burnout influenced depression indirectly (β=0.56) and it has an indirect (β=0.35) and a total effect (β=0.59) on self-destructive behaviour. Finally, the fitness indices of the structural model indicated relatively good fitness. Conclusions. Burnout and depression directly increase the tendency to self-destruction among military personnel. Our findings revealed that job burnout influences self-destruction by intensifying depression.