Predictors of burnout for psychiatric occupational therapy personnel

Burnout is inherent in many health care professions. This research investigation was conducted to determine if burnout existed at significant levels and if a relationship between burnout, work environment factors and demographic characteristics existed among a group of psychiatric occupational therapy personnel. The study design was a descriptive survey format utilizing mailed questionnaires. Eighty-nine respondents completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Work Environment Scale and a demographic questionnaire. A series of regression analyses were performed. The results indicated that the following were significant predictors of burnout: work involvement, a large percentage of clients on one's caseload diagnosed with schizophrenia, work pressure, age, income level, the length of time working in psychiatric occupational therapy, caseload size and the amount of overtime performed on a weekly basis. Implications for psychiatric occupational therapy practice are discussed and recommendations for future research are made.