Professionals working in emergency departments (EDs) are frequently exposed to intense physical, psychological, and emotional demands, placing them at elevated risk for burnout. This condition, rooted in long-term occupational stress, not only compromises the health of ED staff but also undermines the healthcare system and negatively affects patient outcomes. Utilizing adaptive emotion regulation strategies (ERS) is essential for managing the pressures of clinical environments and minimizing burnout risks. Strong interpersonal dynamics between patients and healthcare workers—particularly those grounded in empathy—can boost patient adherence and improve treatment results. This exploratory, cross-sectional study seeks to analyze how mental distress, burnout, and both adaptive and maladaptive ERS are interrelated among ED healthcare personnel. A total of 159 emergency healthcare professionals completed an online questionnaire. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire was used to measure emotion regulation approaches. Levels of burnout and psychological distress were evaluated through the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). The study revealed that over 20% of respondents exhibited high levels of stress (N = 35), anxiety (N = 36), and depression (N = 31). Only a small fraction—10.7% (N = 27)—showed no signs of burnout. Despite these concerns, the overwhelming majority (91.8%, N = 146) predominantly used adaptive ERS. However, as burnout intensified, reliance on adaptive strategies declined while maladaptive strategies became more prominent. Regression models pinpointed several key predictors of burnout dimensions—Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalisation (DP), and reduced Personal Accomplishment (PA)—including factors like gender, age, physical activity, smoking habits, sedative use, mental health status (stress and depression), maladaptive ERS, and adaptive strategies such as positive reappraisal. This study underscores the critical importance of addressing burnout, mental strain, and workplace stress in emergency healthcare settings. Strengthening the use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies and fostering a healthier work culture could reduce burnout and promote psychological resilience among ED staff, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both professionals and patients.
