Cited by 555Occupational Health and BurnoutStress and Burnout ResearchHealthcare professionals’ stress and burnout

Burnout in mental health professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and determinants.

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O’Connor, Karen, Muller Neff, Deirdre, Pitman, Steve·2018·European Psychiatry

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the level of burnout in mental health professionals and to identify specific determinants of burnout in this population. A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, PsychINFO/Ovid, Embase, CINAHL/EBSCO and Web of Science was conducted for original research published between 1997 and 2017. Sixty-two studies were identified as meeting the study criteria for the systematic review. Data on the means, standard deviations, and prevalence of the dimensions of burnout were extracted from 33 studies and included in the meta-analysis (n = 9409). The overall estimated pooled prevalence for emotional exhaustion was 40% (CI 31%-48%) for depersonalisation was 22% (CI 15%-29%) and for low levels of personal accomplishment was 19% (CI 13%-25%). The random effects estimate of the mean scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory indicate that the average mental health professional has high levels of emotional exhaustion [mean 21.11 (95% CI 19.98, 22.24)], moderate levels of depersonalisation [mean 6.76 (95% CI 6.11, 7.42)] but retains reasonable levels of personal accomplishment [mean 34.60 (95% CI 32.99, 36.21)]. Increasing age was found to be associated with an increased risk of depersonalisation but also a heightened sense of personal accomplishment. Work-related factors such as workload and relationships at work, are key determinants for burnout, while role clarity, a sense of professional autonomy, a sense of being fairly treated, and access to regular clinical supervision appear to be protective. Staff working in community mental health teams may be more vulnerable to burnout than those working in some specialist community teams, e.g., assertive outreach, crisis teams.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.06.003

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  • A systematic review of burnout determinants [139] concluded that reasonable caseloads, clinician autonomy, good team functioning, and proper supervision should be the focus of organisational attempts to prevent and reduce burnout in MHWs.

    “In a systematic review of burnout determinants [139], concluded that reasonable caseloads, clinician autonomy, good team functioning, and proper supervision should be the focus of organisational attempts to prevent and reduce burnout in MHWs.”

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  1. Maslach C, Schaufeli WB, Leiter MP. Job burnout. Annu Rev Psychol 2001;52:397-422.

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Authors
O’Connor, K., Muller Neff, D., & Pitman, S.
Affiliations
  • University College Cork (IE)
  • Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (IE)
Corresponding author
O’Connor, Karen
Venue
European Psychiatry
Published
2018-06-26
Volume
53
Pages
74-99
ISSN
  • 0924-9338 (ISSN-L)
  • 1778-3585
OpenAlex
W2811106681
Cited by
555
References
102
Citations by year
2026: 68 · 2025: 84 · 2024: 84 · 2023: 91 · 2022: 81 · 2021: 65 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 6
FWCI
10.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • European Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Burnout
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
Keywords
burnout, mental health professionals, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment, prevalence, burnout risk factors, workload, role clarity, professional autonomy, clinical supervision, community mental health teams, assertive outreach, crisis management teams, Maslach Burnout Inventory
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Burnout, Professional, Female, Health Personnel, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Prevalence

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