BEHAVIORAL AND SELF-REPORT MEASURES OF STAFF BURNOUT IN DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES

The potential for burnout among workers in developmental disabilities has been a frequent concern. In the present study, self-reported level s of burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory scores) were correlated with m easures of staff activity and commonly cited behavioral effects of bur nout. Seventy-nine direct care staff from five facilities serving the developmentally disabled were given the MBI and a brief questionnaire. Data were also collected on absenteeism and tardiness and a time samp ling procedure was employed to assess staff activity. Of 102 correlati ons between the MBI and demographic, self-report, and behavioral measu res, only 5 were statistically significant at the .05 level. Of 55 cor relations among 11 staff activities, 22 were statistically significant . The activity correlations revealed two distinct patterns. The two ac tivities involving positive direct client contact were negatively corr elated with the four activities involving negative client contact or t he absence of client contact. Staff who engaged in much negative clien t contact were also likely to avoid client contact and engage in littl e positive client contact. Staff exhibiting such behavior patterns wou ld be described as burned out with respect to job performance. Given t he limited relationship between self-reports of burnout and staff perf ormance, it would seem prudent to include some direct observation of s taff behavior in burnout research.