Burnout in Social Work

Social workers are considered an occupational group at above-average risk for burnout. Nonetheless, there are surprisingly few empirical studies on burnout in social work. In a literature search of MEDLINE, Psychological Abstracts, and Sociological Abstracts, the authors found only 18 studies that reported any findings on burnout in social workers. This article reviews these studies with three questions in mind: Are social workers burned out? What is associated with burnout in social workers? What should be done about burnout in social workers? The literature indicates that social workers suffer less burnout than comparable occupational groups. The reviewed studies, however, identified factors associated with burnout and ways to prevent burnout in social work. The methodological quality of the studies is analyzed, and recommendations for improving research on burnout in social work are made. It is argued that the demand-control-support model of job stress should integrate the concept of burnout as a complementary outcome variable.