NCJ Number
209239
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 16 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 1205-1217
Date Published
November 2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examined the occurrence of professional burnout among licensed mental health providers who treat sex offenders.
Abstract
While the number of sex offenders sentenced to treatment continues to increase, to date only four studies have examined the impact of working with sex offenders on treatment providers. The current study relied on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to probe burnout among a sample of 86 licensed mental health providers who treat sex offenders; participants completed mailed MBI questionnaires. Of these participants, 37 worked in inpatient facilities, 44 worked in outpatient facilities, and 5 worked in both inpatient and outpatient facilities; 53.5 percent were male and 96.5 percent worked full-time. Results of regression analyses indicated that, when compared to MBI norms for mental health workers, the sex offender treatment providers suffered higher levels of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Compared to MBI norms for social service workers, sex offender treatment providers experienced higher levels of PA but similar levels of EE and DP. Sex offender treatment providers in inpatient/prison facilities reported higher levels of DP and EE and lower levels of PA compared to sex offender treatment providers working in outpatient facilities. No significant differences in burnout levels were observed by gender, number of years treating sex offenders, and percentage of clientele who were sex offenders. The findings suggest that those working in inpatient/prison facilities experience the most burnout without the positive feelings of effectiveness (PA) associated with this type of work. Future studies should seek to identify the factors contributing to burnout among these treatment providers, particularly among those working in inpatient/prison facilities. Tables, references