Validity Evidence for the Secondary Symptoms of the Burnout Assessment Tool: A Brazilian Study

The burnout syndrome is conceptualized as a work-related psychological condition primarily marked by persistent exhaustion, emotional and cognitive impairment, and mental distancing. In addition to these core dimensions, burnout may give rise to secondary symptoms, including psychological distress, psychosomatic complaints, and depressive mood. The Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) includes specific measures for both primary and secondary symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the validity evidence of the BAT's secondary symptoms Brazilian version scale (BAT-S). The sample consisted of 1.750 professionals (71% women), with a mean age of 39 years (SD = 11). Confirmatory Factor Analyses indicated that a two oblique first-order factors model, differentiating psychological distress from psychosomatic complaints, provided a superior fit compared to the unidimensional solution. The scale also presented satisfactory internal consistency for the scales Psychological Distress (α =.88 and ω =.90) and Psychosomatic Complaints (α =.85 and ω =.87). The BAT-S represents a reliable tool to assess these secondary symptoms of burnout, advancing research that integrates behavioral and physiological markers, offering practical applications for occupational health interventions and preventive strategies in the workplace.