Life events and burnout

A sample of 54 males and 134 females, most of whom were in direct service positions of a counseling and social work nature, was given a battery of instruments, including a measure for burnout (an occupational form of excessive stress), life events, and items concerning satisfaction with work and life in general. The results indicate that negative life change events may promote burnout or aggravate it but positive events will buffer its impact. The outcome implies that reducing negative factors on the job is important but promoting positive events also plays a vital role in reducing the likelihood of its occurrence.