Differentiating 'pure' and comorbid self-identified burnout: Diagnostic and management implications

A previous study identified categorically differing scores on the Sydney Burnout Measure (SBM) between individuals with self-identified burnout with (n = 354) or without (n = 188) a history of mental illness. The current study examined whether the SBM's validity held in both scenarios.

The factorial structure and scores on the SBM measure were compared between the two groups.

Similar underlying symptom constructs were identified. The group with a mental illness history had higher general factor scores, suggesting more severe burnout. The group without such a history (and thus a 'purer' burnout state) had higher scores on the empathy loss factor, suggesting its greater specificity to burnout than to other psychological states.

Burnout appears to be experienced similarly by those with and without a mental illness history as measured by the SBM.