Cosmetic facial surgery: the influence of self-esteem on job satisfaction and burnout

Using knowledge-based theories of self-esteem, we investigate the relationship between employed adults' change in self-esteem following cosmetic facial surgery and changes in their job satisfaction and workplace burnout. Quantitative data are collected from patients who have undergone cosmetic facial surgical procedures within a four-year period. The survey responses of 106 employed adults are analysed using hierarchical moderator regression. The findings show a positive relationship between change in self-esteem and change in job satisfaction, and a negative relationship with change in burnout. Cumulative effects are identified. For those who strongly perceive an improvement in their post-operative self-esteem, the longer the time since surgery, the greater the increase in job satisfaction and decrease in burnout; for those who strongly perceive their self-esteem has not improved, the greater the decrease in job satisfaction. These results demonstrate that the influence of change in self-esteem following surgery extends into the workplace.