The phenomenon of burnout generates the most interest due to relation to complete or partial disengagement of emotions, cognitive impairment, impairment of long-term and working memory. The neurophysiological mechanisms of emotional burnout remain insufficiently studied. Data related to gender specific characteristics of burnout formation are contradictory.

To establish the gender related EEG markers of burnout was our aim.

621 volunteers (443 females) aged 18 to 24 years participated in this study. EEG was registered during the resting state (3 min, closed eyes condition). The interhemispheric and intrahemispheric average coherence across all EEG segments in all frequencies from 0.2-45 Hz was estimated. Psychological testing was performed before the registration of EEG. To determine the level of burnout formation the Boyko`s Syndrome of Emotional Burnout Inventory (SEB) was used.

The Resistance phase of emotional burnout was formed in 139 women and 42 men. Development of Resistance stage in female includes formation of new intrahemispheric connections predominantly in the left frontal region (alpha1,2,3-subbands) and the midline frontal-central axis (Fz-Cz, alpha1,2 and theta2-subbands). At the same time new intrahemispheric links in men under Resistance stage development are formed mainly in the right frontal region (alpha1,2,3-subbands).

Connectivity patterns displayed gender-related variations that are associated with the difference in the alterations in the attention focusing, working memory, and emotional processes under burnout formation.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the need to fight it disrupt the balance between work and rest for health workers that can lead to a decrease in stress tolerance and emotional burnout appearance. The lifestyle and well-being of personal and family life can be both a “depletion” and a “resource” factor for health professionals when working under stressful conditions.

To study the presence/absence and severity of burnout symptoms in medical professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic context; to investigate the interaction between burnout severity and overall stress levels, family well-being, and the presence of children.

The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire, Stress Perception Questionnaire (Linville, 1987), modified Pandemic Perception Questionnaire (Broadbent et al.,2006), Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach et al.^1996), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1983) were used. The study was conducted online from April 27 to October 26. It involved 249 medical workers, including 58 men and 191 women.

Health workers who have children show greater confidence in their professional competence(41.28±6.3vs39±7;p=0.007) and (at the trend level) have a lower level of exhaustion(34.53 ±9.2vs36.71±10.8;p=0.09) than their colleagues without children. Although health workers in both groups have approximately the same scores for perceived stress, however, those with children put less effort to counteract stress(9.31±2.5vs10.19±2.9;p=0.012). They describe the pandemic as less dangerous compared to colleagues who do not have children(15.4±5.7vs16.7±5.1;p=0.042).

Perhaps the very possibility of switching attention from a vitally dangerous topic to more positive aspects of life allows medical staff who have children to feel less exhausted and maintain faith in their own strength.