Definition of Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)
The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is a psychological assessment tool that measures burnout in individuals across various professions and organizations. It was developed by Christina Maslach and Susan E. Jackson and is widely used in research and clinical settings to assess the level of burnout experienced by individuals.
Components of MBI
The MBI consists of three main components that together provide a comprehensive assessment of burnout:
- Emotional Exhaustion: This component measures the feelings of being emotionally overextended and drained due to work-related stress.
- Depersonalization: Depersonalization assesses the development of negative and cynical attitudes towards work, colleagues, and those being served.
- Personal Accomplishment: This component measures an individual’s perception of their professional competence, success, and fulfillment in their work role.
Scoring and Interpretation
The assessment consists of a series of statements that individuals rate based on the frequency and intensity of their experiences. Each statement corresponds to one of the three components of burnout.
The scoring of MBI provides a numerical value for each component, reflecting the individual’s level of burnout in each area. These scores are then compared to established norms to determine the severity of burnout, ranging from low to high.
Applications of MBI
The MBI has found significant application in various fields, including healthcare, education, social work, and corporate environments. It enables professionals to identify and address burnout issues, develop interventions and policies to mitigate burnout, and assess the effectiveness of burnout prevention programs.
Researchers also use MBI to study the prevalence and causes of burnout, explore its relationship with job satisfaction, and examine the impacts of burnout on employee well-being and organizational outcomes.