In December 2024, when Luigi Mangione was arrested for allegedly murdering the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, reactions were surprisingly varied. Rather than widespread condemnation, many, particularly younger individuals, showed support. Polls indicated that 41% of young adults found the murder justifiable.
What drives someone to rationalize such extreme actions? Our recent research, published in the APA Journal Psychology of Violence’s special issue on “Understanding Violent Extremism”, connects this mindset to a growing problem: workplace burnout.
Mangione’s manifesto highlights frustrations with “corruption and greed,” a feeling that resonates with many as dissatisfaction with contemporary work settings rises. Research has shown that systemic frustrations and perceptions of corruption correlate with burnout.
In our study involving daily surveys from over 600 employees, we discovered that burnout might subtly influence troubling attitudes, especially justifying extremist views towards perceived injustices.
The burnout to extremism pipeline
Employees recorded their burnout symptoms, emotional states, and extremist attitudes daily. On days they felt more burnt out, there was a notable increase in sympathy for extremist ideas and justifications for violence.
This consistent experience of burnout fostered negative emotions like fear and guilt, prompting some individuals to find extremist ideologies appealing as a way to cope and regain a sense of purpose.
This dynamic can be understood through the lens of three established psychological theories. General Strain Theory posits that daily frustrations can lead to violent extremism through negative emotions.
The existential model of burnout connects burnout to a failed search for meaning when work loses its significance. Lastly, Significance Quest Theory argues that when people feel their lives lack personal significance, they may turn to radical beliefs to restore meaning.
Together, these theories suggest that burnout reflects a sense of lost meaning, which could ultimately push individuals toward violent extremism in search of restoration. General Strain Theory elaborates on the emotional journey involved.
Why burnout matters
Our findings don’t imply that those with burnout will inevitably turn to extremist violence. Instead, they highlight how everyday burnout can subtly shift individuals toward accepting violent extremist attitudes.
This nuance is important and ties into the two-pyramids model, which distinguishes between radicalizing opinions and actions. While the connection might not be direct, merely radical opinions can threaten democracies by eroding social cohesion and fostering polarization.
Currently, workplace burnout is alarmingly prevalent, with around three in four employees affected. This indicates a significant portion of the workforce is potentially susceptible to extremist ideologies.
Even though most won’t resort to violence, a society that grows tolerant of extremist views risks normalizing harmful behaviors and undermining democratic values, impacting workplace harmony. Even if just a small fraction takes violent action, the repercussions could be severe.
Organisational support can help
On a positive note, perceived organizational support emerges as a protective factor. Employees who feel valued and appreciated by their organizations tend to steer clear of extremist ideologies, even amid burnout.
However, there’s a vital caveat: organizational support works best before negative emotions take root. Once individuals have crossed that emotional line, mere support may lack the power to prevent the turn toward extremist attitudes.
Employers play a crucial role in addressing burnout before it escalates. This requires viewing burnout prevention not just as a health initiative but as a strategic necessity for workplace and societal stability.
This could involve fostering fairness and transparency, ensuring employees feel recognized, training managers to spot early signs of burnout, and creating safe channels for feedback.
Concerns about fairness extend beyond the office. Broader societal injustices may intensify extremist sympathies, particularly for those already mentally worn out. Efforts, like pursuing the death penalty against Mangione for political purposes, might reinforce feelings of systemic unfairness, potentially exacerbating radical opinions.
The broader implications
Burnout signifies more than just exhaustion; it represents a deeper existential vulnerability. A workplace that neglects employee burnout isn’t just courting lower productivity; it risks becoming a sanctuary for ideological radicalization.
As workplaces and societies grapple with a rise in extremist sentiments—including support for violence portrayed as resistance to corporate greed—it’s vital to recognize the underlying psychological triggers. Burnout is one such trigger, and employees require support not only for improved performance but also to nurture a sense of meaning and connection in their lives.
A mind that’s burnt out will seek meaning wherever it can, and if the workplace doesn’t offer it, extremist ideologies are often ready to step in, with implications that extend far beyond the office environment.
