Brain fag and burnout: A comparison of two exhaustion syndromes among adolescents in Nigeria Essien Emmanuel Aniekan1,*, Edet Bassey Eyo2, Okafor Chidi John3, Abdullahi Halilu4, Udofia Owoidoho5 1Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria 2Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria 3Department of Psychiatry, University of Calabar Teaching, Calabar, Nigeria 4Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, UK 5Department of Psychiatry, University of Calabar Teaching, Calabar, Nigeria *Correspondence: Dr. Emmanuel Aniekan Essien, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, 123 Calabar Road, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, Zip code: 540261, mannyessien@yahoo.com
Online Published on 28 February, 2024. Abstract Background Brain fag and burnout are exhaustion syndromes first described in different cultural contexts, and both occur among students. They share some similarities but have not been compared in research. Objective This study sought to determine the relationship between brain fag and burnout among adolescent students in Calabar, Nigeria. Method In this cross-sectional study, 810 students were recruited from ten secondary schools in Calabar. The Brain Fag Syndrome Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey were administered. Results The mean sample age was 15.93 (±1.35) years, and the gender distribution was approximately equal. The emotional exhaustion and cynicism dimensions of burnout were significantly associated with brain fag syndrome (p<0.05). Respondents with high emotional exhaustion (Odds ratio [OR]=3.3, confidence interval [CI]=2.06-5.36) and cynicism (OR=2.7, CI=1.66-4.39) were more likely to meet the threshold for brain fag syndrome. Principal components analysis of items from both instruments yielded a four-factor structure, and one had substantial loadings from both scales. Conclusions Both syndromes are related, probably due to an overlap in core exhaustion symptoms. More research is needed to elucidate their relationship further. Top Keywords Psychological stress, Culture, Somatoform Disorders. Top |