Burn-out in student counsellors

This study investigated the relations among perceived work stress, sources of support and reported levels of distress and burn-out of men and women who have been employed for shorter and longer periods as Technical & Further Education (TAFE) counsellors. Stress, types of support, with one exception, and symptoms reported by men and women were not significantly different. Length of time spent counselling influenced level of burn-out but not level of distress. Distress and burn-out were significantly positively correlated. Levels of work stress were significantly correlated with distress and burn-out but the effect was strongest for burn-out. There were low but significant correlations between some sources of support and work stress and burn-out. Results are discussed in terms of the extent to which they support the uniqueness of burn-out in helping professions and the action of support on work stress to reduce burn-out.