Transactional Analysis and Burnout: For Individuals and Organizations

Abstract

AbstractIn this article the authors share with a wider readership some of the core concepts from a book they published in Dutch about a transactional analysis perspective on the interactions between the organization and the individual in cases of burnout. Burnout has taken on epidemic proportions in the Western world. Some theories on burnout focus on individual vulnerabilities, whereas others suggest burnout is the fault of organizations. The authors combine the two approaches and view burnout as the result of interlocking scripts of individual and organization: two script circles intertwining to the detriment of both. They present an analysis and an action model with which organizations and individuals together can prevent burnout. Setting firm, clear boundaries is essential in this model.Keywords: Burnoutscript circlesinterlocking scriptsboundarieslimit settingtransactional analysisscript systems Disclosure statementThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.Additional informationFundingThe authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.Notes on contributorsMoniek ThunnissenMoniek Thunnissen, MD, PhD, is a psychiatrist and clinical Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst. She is a coeditor of the Transactional Analysis Journal and winner of the 2022 ITAA Research Award. Moniek can be reached at De Moerkens 4, 4614 GS Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands; email: m.thunnissen@ziggo.nlMarian TimmermansMarian Timmermans, MA, is an executive coach, consultant, and organizational Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst. She teaches TA at the Dutch TA Academie and at the Berne Institute (UK) and is a member of the editorial board of the Transactional Analysis Journal. She can be reached at Maasheseweg 25, 5804 AA Venray, The Netherlands; mail@mariantimmermansconsult.nl.