Exploring correlates of burnout dimensions in a sample of psychiatric rehabilitation practitioners: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

The primary purpose of this article is to investigate demographic and work-related correlates of three burnout dimensions, that is, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment, using a national sample of psychiatric rehabilitation practitioners (PRPs).

METHOD

An online survey was filled out by 1,639 PRPs who provided demographic, work-related, and burnout data. Complete data for hypotheses testing using stepwise regression analyses was available for 813 PRPs.

RESULTS

Lower than expected levels of burnout dimensions were found among PRPs. All 3 study hypotheses were at least partially supported. Looking at individual correlates of burnout dimensions, education level was positively related to emotional exhaustion, age was negatively related to depersonalization, and age and length of service were both negatively related to diminished personal accomplishment. Personal involvement was positively related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Regression results were also supportive of the mental health burnout process model, that is, emotional exhaustion explaining depersonalization, which then combined with emotional exhaustion to help further explain diminished personal accomplishment.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Study limitations are acknowledged. This study updates the results of a prior 1996 PRP survey (Blankertz & Robinson, 1996) using a demographically comparable (i.e., gender, race, education level, primary area of study) sample. Reducing one's personal involvement with clients seems important to reducing PRP emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Emotional exhaustion is generally acknowledged to be the key component to burnout and reducing it via peer support group sessions is recommended.