The factorial validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) across occupational groups and nations

The factorial validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI -GS) was investigated among employees of a multinational company in the for est industry. The present study includes data from Finnish, Swedish and Dut ch employees (total N = 9055). The hypothesized three-factor model of the M BI-GS (Exhaustion, Cynicism, Professional. Efficacy) was replicated across occupational groups (i.e. managers, clerks, foremen technicians, blue-colla r workers) and nations. The fit of this model to the data was superior to a lternative one- and two-factor models in all samples under investigation. I n addition, the three-factor structure of the MBI-GS proved invariant acros s all occupational groups. The internal consistencies of the three subscale s are satisfactory, except for the cynicism scale in some subsamples. There fore, it is suggested to exclude one-ambiguous-cynicism item. Finally, some differences in levels of burnout are found between nations and occupationa l groups that are consistent with earlier findings.