Differentiating 'burning out' and 'burnt out' states

ObjectiveThe terms 'burning out' and 'burnt out' are commonly used interchangeably. The reported study aimed to determine they if they capture differing stages of burnout.MethodsAn advertisement sought self-diagnosed burnout sufferers over 18 years old. Participants nominated if they were 'burning out' or 'burnt out', provided descriptors of their state and completed the Sydney Burnout Measure (SBM) and the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT). Analyses were both qualitative and quantitative reflecting a mixed method analytic strategy.ResultsSeventeen symptoms were nominated by participants. Those self-judging as 'burnt out' reported a higher prevalence of most symptoms and higher SBM and BAT scores than those self-judging as 'burning out'. The former participants were notably more likely to state an inability to function, while the two groups generated significantly differing exhaustion and withdrawal scores in analyses evaluating independent symptom differentiation.ConclusionCompared to a 'burning out' state, a 'burnt out state' would appear more severe, with significant impairment and the individual's 'elasticity' (ability to adapt and recover) lost. Such findings suggest a staging model and might argue for differential stage-based management strategies.