Objective.

To test relationship among some psychosocial variables involved in a model of burnout and study the mediating role of guilt between indifference and search for qualified help.

Method.

Cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational design. Sample: 272 geriatric nursing assistants. Variables: work overload, social support at work, autonomy, psychological exhaustion, eagerness to work, indifference, guilt and search for qualified help. Descriptive analysis, inner consistency, correlation, path analysis and bootstrapping.

Results.

Relationships between variables show that psychosocial variables determine the syndrome according to literature and in line with the raised hypotheses. Guilt mediates relationship between indifference and search for qualified help.

Discussion and conclusions.

Literature in this field is compared, evidences are provided to confirm that this model is suitable to develop burnout and it is highlighted the relevance of guilt feelings in jobs where personal interrelationship is needed. Guidelines for prevention and intervention, and limitations of the study are also provided.

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