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Showing papers on "Burnout published in 1984"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the Maslach Burnout Inventory is used to measure and evaluate mental health in counseling and development, and the results show that the majority of participants report burnout.
Abstract: (1984). Maslach Burnout Inventory. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 100-102.

1,878 citations


01 Jan 1984
TL;DR: A mufti-faceted concept of burnout was proposed by Maslach et al. as mentioned in this paper, who also developed a standardized instrument to assess different aspects of the burnout phenomenon.
Abstract: Within the last decade, there has been a tremendous surge of interest in the problem of burnout. Although it was virtually unheard of prior to the late 1970s, It suddenly became a very popular topic. Hundreds of articles were written about it, as were numerous books; professional conventions held special sessions on it; and the mass media gave it extensive coverage. The general theme of all these discussions was that: (1) burnout is a problem, and (2) we need to do something about it. Consequently, there has been a tremendous proliferation of workshops, training materials, and organizational interventions planned by burnout consultants. Burnout has become big business. From our vantage point as researchers who have studied this topic extensively, these developments are cause for both applause and alarm. On one hand, we are pleased that this problem is finally getting some serious attention, after years of being Ignored or denied. On the other hand, we are concerned about the rush into solutions before there is full understanding of the problem. Research on burnout is still in its infancy, and there is much that we simply do not know about the phenomenon. For example, there is very little base rate information (e.g., what percentage of people experience burnout, and for how long), as well as a paucity of data on critical criterion outcomes, such as quality of work, turnover, and personal health (Maslach, 1983). Given the shortage of facts about burnout, it would be premature to give an authoritative answer about how to handle It. The picture is not entirely bleak, however. Even if it is not a lot, several things have been learned about burnout, as a result of studies by various researchers. Our own contributions to this state of knowledge have been: (1) the proposal of a mufti-faceted concept of burnout (Jackson & Maslach, 1982b; Maslach & Jackson, 1981b); (2) the development of a standardized instrument, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), to assess these different aspects of burnout (Maslach & Jackson, 1981a); and (3) the completion of several studies linking burnout to both work and family variables (Jackson & Maslach, 1982a; Maslach & Jackson,

698 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A national study found similarities in levels of job satisfaction, burnout, and intent to change jobs among child welfare, community mental health, and family service workers, although the determinants varied by field of practice.
Abstract: A national study found similarities in levels of job satisfaction, burnout, and intent to change jobs among child welfare, community mental health, and family service workers, although the determinants varied by field of practice. The data suggest that a universal approach aimed at increasing job satisfaction and reducing burnout is likely to be of minimal value; interventions must be conducted within each setting and must attend to the idiosyncracies of each group.

359 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In order to assess the sources and extent of satisfaction, stress, and burnout in suburban teachers, a group of teachers (n = 365) was administered a 65-item Likert-type Teacher Attitude Survey (TAS) as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In order lo assess the sources and extent of satisfaction, stress, and burnout in suburban teachers, a group of teachers (n = 365) was administered a 65-item Likert-type Teacher Attitude Survey (TAS). Satisfaction consisted of experiences that make teachers feel sensitive to and involved with students as well as colleagues; stresses were related to excessive paperwork, unsuccessful administrative meetings, and the lack of advancement opportunities in teaching. Although the majority of teachers surveyed had not lessened their involvement in their work and were still committed to teaching, 20-25% appeared vulnerable to burnout, and 10-15% appeared to be already burned out. Most at risk were those at a certain age level t34-44) and those teaching at a junior high school level. Issues that were addressed with respect to burnout included teacher-administrator relationships and teachers’ perceived lack of a psychological sense of community.

284 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined the relationship between motivational factors and teacher perceived burnout when controlling for the background variables of age, sex, level of teaching, and years of teaching experience, and found that higher level self-actualization and esteem need deficiencies explained a significant amount of the variance in burnout among teachers.
Abstract: This study utilized stepwise multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship between motivational factors and teacher perceived burnout when controlling for the background variables of age, sex, level of teaching, and years of teaching experience. Motivational factors consisted of teacher perceived security, social, esteem, autonomy, and self-actualization need deficiencies. Teacher perceived burnout was examined in terms of the frequency and intensity of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Generally, the higher level self-actualization and esteem need deficiencies explained a significant amount of the variance in burnout among teachers.

252 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A survey of 141 human service workers investigated the effects of coping on psychological strain and burnout produced by job stress as mentioned in this paper, finding that individual coping responses do not alleviate strain produced by stress.
Abstract: A mail survey of 141 human service workers investigated the effects of coping on psychological strain and "burnout" produced by job stress. The survey assessed job stressors and coping strategies with open-ended questions and measured strain using closed-ended alienation, satisfaction, and symptom scales. Because previous research suggested that individual coping responses do not alleviate strain produced by job stress, the survey elicited information on group coping (social support) and on coping strategies initiated by agencies. Job stress was associated with high levels of strain, and group coping with low levels, but individual responses had little effect. Although workers identified many strategies that agencies could use to reduce stress and strain, actual use of such strategies was slight. Because men and women worked in the same jobs, no sex differences in individual coping were predicted and none were found; women, however, reported more social support than men. There was no evidence for moderating (interaction) effects of stress and coping on strain.

251 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study quantifies the relationships of head nurse leadership style with self-reported staff nurse burnout and job satisfaction in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and classification of low consideration-high structure was most deviant.
Abstract: Leadership style has been defined as a two-factor construct composed of "consideration" and "initiating structure." Research has suggested that these factors affect the behavior and attitude of subordinates. This study's purpose was to quantify the relationships of head nurse leadership style with self-reported staff nurse burnout and job satisfaction in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Three instruments--the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Tedium Scale, and the Leadership Opinion Questionnaire--were voluntarily completed by 283 registered nurses employed by 14 level-III NICUs in the United States. The leadership dimensions of consideration and structure were distinct (r = -.10). Staff nurse satisfaction and burnout were related (r = -.41). Head nurse consideration was clearly related to staff nurse satisfaction (r = -.55) and to a lesser extent to burnout (r = -.29). Initiating structure alone was not related to satisfaction or burnout. Aggregate perceptions of head nurse leadership were ranked across NICUs in order to classify the head nurses on consideration and structure. The 14 head nurses were separated into four groups: high consideration-high structure, high consideration-low structure, low consideration-high structure, and low consideration-low structure. Satisfaction and burnout of staff nurses in each of the leadership-style groups were then compared. Analysis of variance for satisfaction (F(3,279) = 3.10, p = .03) and burnout (F(3,279) = 3.90, p = .01) were both significant. For both satisfaction and burnout, the head nurse leadership classification of low consideration-high structure was most deviant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

167 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined the construct validity of burnout using Campbell & Fiske's multitrait-multimethod approach and found that burnout measures also correlated substantially with measures of depression and job satisfaction.
Abstract: Considerable confusion exists in the burnout literature about the similarities and separateness among the constructs of burnout, depression and job satisfaction. This study examined the construct validity of burnout using Campbell & Fiske's multitrait-multimethod approach. The constructs of burnout, depression and orderliness (chosen as a discriminant construct) were assessed by three types of self-report instruments. Data were analysed for 181 females and 139 male faculty members who spent at least 50 per cent of their time in teaching. Results indicated that measures of burnout largely met Campbell & Fiske's criteria for construct validity: burnout measures possessed adequate to good internal reliability and convergent validity. However, burnout measures also correlated substantially with measures of depression. Results are discussed in terms of possible explanations for the substantial overlap that has been demonstrated among measures of burnout, depression and job satisfaction.

150 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The association of stress with physical and psychological disorders has aroused much controversy over the years, but the particular subject of 'burnout' has received little attention.
Abstract: Stress, like depression, is a universal experience. Both are generally self-limiting and may even prove to be beneficial in terms of personal growth. In some circumstances, however, stress and depression may become excessive or morbid, and lead to considerable disability.

140 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a study was undertaken to assess the level of perceived burnout in college athletic coaches, and to determine whether male coaches differed from female coaches in level of burnout.
Abstract: A study was undertaken to assess the level of perceived burnout in college athletic coaches, and to determine whether male coaches differed from female coaches in level of burnout. Burnout was measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a self-report rating scale that provides three subscores: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment. Subjects were NCAA and AIAW Division I college head coaches (138 male and 93 female coaches). The sexes differed on both the emotional exhaustion and the personal accomplishment subscales, in terms of both frequency of response and intensity of response. Female coaches reported significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion and significantly lower levels of personal accomplishment than male coaches. The largest gender difference on the frequency dimension was for the item, “ I feel frustrated by my job.” For the intensity dimension, the largest difference was for the item “I feel burned out from my work.” Possible explanations for the gender...

Journal Article
TL;DR: In the last ten to fifteen years vast numbers of people, especially in the human services, have embraced the concept of teacher burnout and integrated it within their collective self-image as workers as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In the last ten to fifteen years vast numbers of people, especially in the human services, have embraced the concept of “burnout” and integrated it within their collective self-image as workers. This is particularly true of teachers. The word “teacher” modifies the word ‘*burnout” all too well. Teachers who become burned out may be less sympathetic toward students, may have a lower tolerance for frustration in the classroom, may plan for their classes lessoften or less carefully, may fantasize about or actually plan on leaving the profession, may feel frequently emotionally or physically exhausted, may feel anxious, irritable, depressed, and, in general, less committed anddedicated to their work.1 The emergence of teacher burnout as a troublesome educational issue comes, ironically, at a time when there is renewed interest in making teaching an inviting professional occupation for able and talented people. The recent national reports on education have called for a revitalization and improvement of the teaching profession, suggesting reforms in such areas as salary, preparation, teaching load, decision making, professional standards and accountability, and advancement opportunities. Implicitly, then, these reports recognis that too many teachers have become demoralized or burned out and that this trend has a significant impact on the recruitment, retention, and performance of teachers. Both the educational community and the public at large have shown enormous interest in the concept of teacher burnout. The causes, symptoms, and treatment of teacher burnout have. in recent years, been frequently described in popular magazines and professional journals. The National Education Association (NEA) made teacher burnout the central theme of its 1979 convention, and teacher trainers report that burnout is often the highest rated subject on needs-assessment measuresdesigned to identify major teacher concerns.2 Administrators have suggested that teacher burnout is the most


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assessed the quality of life for pastors and pastors' wives by comparing the quality they reported with that reported by non-pastoral males and females within the same den...
Abstract: The present study assessed the quality of life for pastors and pastors’ wives by comparing the quality of life they reported with that reported by non-pastoral males and females within the same den...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, psychological burnout causes many high-level athletes to quit their sport before they achieve their potential, because they are energetic perfectionists who are strongly influenced by others and lack asse...
Abstract: In brief: Psychological burnout causes many high-level athletes to quit their sport before they achieve their potential. Energetic perfectionists who are strongly influenced by others and lack asse...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An analysis of the data using Pearson product-moment correlations revealed significant correlations between increasingly external locus of control orientation and increased perceptions of burnout on four of the six subscales of the MBI.
Abstract: Summary. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between locus of control, as measured by the Nowicki-Strickland Adult Scale, and burnout as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). A survey form containing these instruments was mailed to all special education teachers in 28 school districts in the north-eastern United States. Of the initial 684 mailings, 469 were returned (69 per cent). An analysis of the data using Pearson product-moment correlations revealed significant correlations between increasingly external locus of control orientation and increased perceptions of burnout on four of the six subscales of the MBI. Findings are discussed and a suggestion for future research presented.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Four out of the five symptoms of burnout were significantly predicted by different potential causes, indicating that burnout experienced by physical therapists can have a detrimental effect on patients, therapists, and the facilities in which they are employed.
Abstract: Burnout results in a decrease in job performance because of excessive work-related stress. This study assessed the presence of burnout among physical therapists and determined if potential organizational and personal causes of burnout could predict symptoms of burnout. One hundred and sixty therapists surveyed nationwide met the established criteria for inclusion in the study; 84 (53%) stated that they were currently experiencing feelings of burnout. Subjects were asked to respond to the frequency of their symptoms of burnout and the relevancy of the list of potential causes. A standard multiple regression equation was completed on each of the five dependent variables (symptoms) predicted by the eight potential causes of burnout, four of which were organizational in nature and four of which were personal in nature. Four out of the five symptoms of burnout were significantly predicted by different potential causes. Burnout experienced by physical therapists can have a detrimental effect on patients, therapists, and the facilities in which they are employed.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 1984
TL;DR: Kavenaugh's concept of the grieving process is used as a framework for a brief description of adaptation to the stresses of professional work with dying person and their families.
Abstract: The processes leading to staff burnout are poorly understood, due to the very term “burnout.” It is a static term which refers explicitly to the end-stage or outcome of a process, rather than to the process itself. Grief theory is an attempt to explore the process of adaptation to high stress work, a process which, through some inadequacy or disorder, too often eventuates in burnout. Concepts of grieving seem suited to this purpose because (a) grief has undergone transformation from a static term to a process term in response to theoretical efforts of the last generation, and (b) burnout entails considerable loss and is, in part, a response to loss. Kavenaugh's concept of the grieving process is used as a framework for a brief description of adaptation to the stresses of professional work with dying person and their families.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although the overall burnout among staff was found to be relatively low, a higher than average measure of burnout was recorded among employees with high educational levels, long tenure, and full-time status.
Abstract: Is burnout common among health care personnel dealing with situations of great emotional intensity? This study surveyed personnel in 40 hospices to examine the components of burnout among those who work with the terminally ill. Although the overall burnout among staff was found to be relatively low, a higher than average measure of burnout was recorded among employees with high educational levels, long tenure, and full-time status.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors suggest that the understanding of "burnout" is hindered by the lack of a single operational definition and a clear set of criteria.
Abstract: This paper examines the existing definitions and perceptions of the concept of "burnout" in the health professions. The authors suggest that the understanding of "burnout" is hindered by the lack of a single operational definition and a clear set of criteria. An example of social workers in a community mental health setting serves as an illustration.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Burnout scores for 104 professionals in the fields of college student personnel, health and mental health, administration and miscellaneous other professionals were correlated with ratings on 13 job characteristics, and ratings of satisfaction with, and control over, these characteristics.
Abstract: Burnout scores for 104 professionals in the fields of college student personnel, health and mental health, administration and miscellaneous other professionals were correlated with ratings on 13 job characteristics, and ratings of satisfaction with, and control over, these characteristics. Results indicate significant positive correlations between the burnout scores and 10 of the 13 job characteristics. Significant positive correlations were found for burnout and all 13 items of job satisfaction. Significant negative correlations were found for 6 of the items where control was rated. Demographic variables of age, sex, marital status, employment status of spouse, dependents, number of hours worked, and being on call showed no significant correlations with burnout. Recommendations are made for continued research and theory building which take into account the concept of control over one's work environment.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Public school teachers in six northwestern Ohio school districts completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory (POI), and a brief, biographic questionnaire, which produced the three factors previously named byMaslach as Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment.
Abstract: Public school teachers (N = 211) in six northwestern Ohio school districts completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory (POI), and a brief, biographic questionnaire. The responses to the MBI produced the three factors previously named by Maslach as Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment. Each of the three scales correlated with the summed POI score (r = -.28, -.22, and .35, respectively) and produced high to moderate levels of internal consistency (alphas of .92, .85, and .88, respectively). Teachers with more students tended to produce higher scores on the Depersonalization scale.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Comparisons are made between the treatment for learned helplessness and possible parallel strategies for preventing burnout, including helping educators to set realistic and attainable goals.
Abstract: Learned helplessness is a phenomenon wherein people are repeatedly exposed to situations beyond their control. Such exposure results in passivity, decreased interest and a reduction in the initiation of responses. This presentation used learned helplessness as a model for better understanding burnout as experienced by teachers of exceptional children. Comparisons are made between the treatment for learned helplessness and possible parallel strategies for preventing burnout. These strategies include helping educators to (a) set realistic and attainable goals, (b) recognize the control which they do have and (c) develop a realistic understanding of the causes for their actual failures.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1984
TL;DR: Although burnout has been observed in business executives, police officers, and lawyers, its widest application has been to the helping professions such as nursing, teaching, and counseling, in which the common denominator is the impact of providing constant care and meeting the multiple needs of clienteles, often without essential agency support.
Abstract: During the past decade the topic of burnout has become increasingly popular among the helping professions as a way of describing and understanding work-related stresses (Edelwich and Brodsky, 1980; Freudenberger, 1974; Greenberg and Valletutti, 1980; Patrick, 1981; Pines, Aronson and Kafry, 1981; Welch, Medeiros, and Tate, 1982). Viewed as the end result of chronic stress, this phenomenon has generated the development of a literature that touches upon and attempts to integrate a range of psychological perspectives from Albert Ellis (Ellis and Harper, 1961) to transcendental meditation (Jaffe, 1980) to sports psychology (Nideffer, 1981). Although burnout has been observed in business executives, police officers, and lawyers (Welch et al., 1982), its widest application has been to the helping professions such as nursing, teaching, and counseling (Patrick, 1981; Pines et al., 1981; Welch et al., 1982), in which the common denominator is the impact of providing constant care and meeting the multiple needs of clienteles, often without essential agency support.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A dynamic interactive model of stress and burnout among teachers of behaviorally disordered students is proposed in this article, where the model postulates that burnout may result from a discrepancy between teachers' expectations and the school experience.
Abstract: A dynamic, interactive model of stress and burnout among teachers of behaviorally disordered students is proposed The model postulates that burnout may result from a discrepancy between these teachers' expectations and the school experience Stress and burnout are portrayed along a continuum of positive to negative interactions between the teachers and job-related factors A mismatch between expectations and the perceived reality of the job can lead to a repeated cycle of unsatisfactory school experiences, unpleasant feelings, behavioral manifestations of those feelings, and the negative reactions of others


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A survey of 4,660 American Roman Catholic priests found that a minority of 6.2% may be candidates for burnout, and the men most likely to fit this definition are diocesan parish priests in their mid-fifties who exhibit a high incidence of tension, worry and anxiety, have more physical ailments than other priests, are overweight and do not get enough physical exercise or restful sleep as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Research studies by Selye, Sarason and Machlowitz indicate that the "burnout syndrome" is neither as novel nor as prevalent as popular journalistic writers suggest. This mailed questionnaire survey was made at the request of the American Bishops who are concerned about the health and welfare of the overburdened clergy. The data from the national sample of 4,660 Catholic priests (both diocesan and religious) reveal that a minority of 6.2% may be termed 'candidates" for burnout. They fit this category because they report being regularly overworked and also experiencing a great deal of emotional stress. The men most likely to fit this definition are diocesan parish priests in their mid-fifties who exhibit a high incidence of tension, worry and anxiety, have more physical ailments than other priests, are overweight and do not get enough physical exercise or restful sleep. The comparative statistics of this study clearly demonstrate, however, that the great majority of American Catholic priests are in good health of mind and body. Dr. Hans Selye (1978:60-69), the father of stress research, once wrote "We hear a great deal these days about the dangers of overwork and excessive striving, and of being the so-called Type A personality. But I think in many ways this is exaggerated and arouses unnecessary anxiety." Even though much of the propaganda about clergy burnout can be dismissed for lack of evidence or for conceptual confusion, we should deal seriously with it for two reasons. The first is that Bishops and religious superiors are disturbed by this phenomenon and think it is a cause for alarm. We owe them some reassurance. The second reason is the need to deflate the pop-psychologists and human relations experts who spread worrisome rumors. Every fad has to run its course, but we may be able to dampen some of this overheated enthusiasm.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: For instance, teacher stress has been an object of concern for at least fifty years as mentioned in this paper and has been referred to as "burnout" or "departure" for decades.
Abstract: Now we call it "burnout. " Under one name or another, teacher stress has been an object of concern for at least fifty years.