NCJ Number
206586
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: 2004 Pages: 156-165
Date Published
2004
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This Canadian study used a two-stage, cluster-analysis procedure and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to develop an occupational burnout typology from a sample of 135 Canadian police managers (sergeants/staff sergeants).
Abstract
The sample was drawn from the attendees at the Senior Police Administrators Course at the Canadian Police College. The sample of 135 sergeants and staff sergeants ranged in age from the mid-30's to the late-50's, with some 20 to 30 years of service. Sample members completed the MBI, which consists of 22 items divided into 3 subscales that measure emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Each item has a seven-point response scale for frequency of occurrence. A two-step exploratory cluster-analysis approach, using two different but complementary clustering methods, determined the optimal cluster structure. Three clusters were identified: "laissez-faire" managers (n=15), who scored low on emotional exhaustion and depersonalization items as well as on personal-accomplishment items (low emotional investment and accomplishment in their jobs); "well-adjusted" managers (n=74), who had low scores on depersonalization, low to moderate scores on emotional exhaustion, and high to very-high scores on personal accomplishment; and "distressed" managers (n=46), who had the highest emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores in the sample and only moderate personal-accomplishment scores. Based on the findings from this exploratory study, it would be useful for investigators to identify burnout types for the lower constable/patrol officer ranks and the higher commissioned officer ranks. In addition, it would be useful to focus on burnout types for specific police duties. Because the MBI and numerous translations are being used worldwide, it would also be helpful to identify cross-national and cross-cultural similarities and differences in burnout types. 2 tables, 1 figure, and 43 references