Factors Associated with Burnout in the Social Services

Based upon a sample of 106 social workers, factors related to burnout are examined. Several variables related to the job structure within the social services emerge as potentially important determinants of burnout. These include satisfaction, autonomy, self-esteem, and discrepancy. It would appear that the source of the burnout problem is more a function of the job situation than a function of individual personality. A social service agency will obtain higher worker effectiveness and less worker exhaustion by recognizing the need for worker independence, self-esteem, acceptance, and support.