Factors Contributing to Levels of Burnout Among Sex Offender Treatment Providers

Abstract

This study used the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to examine burnout among 86 licensed mental health providers who treat sex offenders. Participants were 53.5% male, 43% worked in inpatient/prison settings, and 55.8% worked in group therapy settings. Compared to MBI subscale norms for mental health workers, sex offender treatment providers reported higher levels of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Relative to norms for social services workers, sex offender treatment providers reported higher levels of PA but similar levels of EE and DP. There were no significant differences in burnout levels by gender, number of years working with sex offenders, and percentage of clientele who were sex offenders. Relative to providers in outpatient facilities, those in inpatient/prison facilities reported higher levels of DP, PA, and EE. These findings suggest inpatient/prison providers experience greater levels of burnout relative to outpatient providers.