A Study of Burnout in Special Treatment Facility Direct Service Providers

Abstract

Role conflict, role ambiguity, and demographic variables were evaluated for their relationship to the subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI) in youth counselors and other direct-service providers of a special treatment facility. The findings in this study indicated that role ambiguity was a predictor in all subscales of the MBI. Furthermore, depersonalization may in fact be a coping strategy utilized by direct-service providers to deal with the stressors of working in a high-stress environment. Finally, age and length of employment in the field were also predictors of role conflict.