As convincingly discussed by Shirom (2003), the COR theory provides a useful
framework for developing the relationship between emotional exhaustion/burnout and
depression. That is, individuals are emotionally exhausted, when they are confronted
with a net loss of resources, which cannot be replaced through their present physical or
emotional resources. Such individuals cannot gain additional resources by investing
the current resources or by expanding other resources. Under these circumstances,
they may experience a heightened or an advanced level of emotional exhaustion via an
escalating spiral of losses, which may lead to symptoms of depression (see Shirom,
2003). There is empirical evidence to support the premise that emotional
exhaustion/burnout positively impacts depression. For instance, Baba et al. (1999)
found that burnout positively affected depression among nurses in the Caribbean.
Shani and Pizam (2009) found similar results among hotel employees.
Therefore, the following hypothesis is proposed