Occupational Distress Syndrome

How external causal pathways impair Ryff's eudaimonic well-being architecture and produce the observable burnout triad. Solid lines indicate primary (direct) impairment. Dashed lines with arrowheads indicate secondary cascade propagation between dimensions.

Russ L'HommeDieu, DPT | EdD Candidate, Nebraska Methodist College | DSP Scholarly Project

Important Note:This visualization represents a non-validated theoretical framework designed as a "thought experiment" to help observers conceptualize the interconnected nature of Occupational Dysfunction Syndrome (ODS) as it relates to human flourishing. The pathway mappings and cascade relationships depicted here are proposed conceptual models intended to stimulate scholarly discussion, not empirically validated causal mechanisms.

Basic Interaction

  • Click a pathway card (left column) to see how that stressor impairs well-being dimensions and produces burnout symptoms.
  • Click a gem node (center hexagon) to select the pathway that primarily affects that dimension.
  • Click the same item again to deselect and return to the neutral state.

Compare Mode

  • Click "Compare pathways" button to enable multi-select mode.
  • Select multiple pathways to see where their effects overlap. Dimensions hit by multiple pathways turn red.
  • Click "Clear all" to reset your selection.

Reading the Visualization

  • Solid lines show direct (primary) impairment from a stressor to a well-being dimension.
  • Dashed arrows show secondary cascade effects as dysfunction spreads between dimensions.
  • Gem brightness indicates impairment severity: brighter = more affected, dimmed = unaffected by current selection.
  • Red manifestation cards (right column) light up to show which burnout symptoms result from the selected pathway(s).
Primary effect (direct impairment)
Secondary cascade
Output to manifestation
CAUSAL DOMAIN
External stressors.
Empathic distress
Moral injury
Demand-resource imbalance
Trauma exposure
Unanswered occupational calling
STRUCTURAL DOMAIN
Ryff's 6 eudaimonic dimensions.
Positive relationsPurpose in lifeAutonomyEnvironmental masterySelf-acceptancePersonal growth
PRESENTATION DOMAIN
Observable manifestations.
Emotional exhaustion
Relational + mastery depletion
Depersonalization
Identity + purpose severed
Reduced personal accomplishment
Agency + growth collapsed
Select a causal pathway to explore how external stressors impair well-being dimensions and produce burnout manifestations.
Click a pathway or gem to explore
Reporting standard: SQUIRE 2.0 | coreframework.org/research