Burnout in Chinese social work: Differential predictability of the components of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. (4th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yean; Zhang, Huan; Lei, Jie; Yu, Yuehui
• Is Part Of: International journal of social welfare. Volume 28:Number 2(2019:Apr.)
• Page Start: 217
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2018-11-04
• Subjects: burnout -- China -- MBI‐GS scale -- professional identity -- satisfaction -- social workers -- student social work -- turnover intention; Social service -- Periodicals; Public welfare -- Periodicals; Social service -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; Public welfare -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 361
• DOI: 10.1111/ijsw.12339
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-6866

Abstract

Abstract : Burnout is a worldwide phenomenon among social welfare workers. This study examined how burnout affects student social workers and professional social workers. It first examined the construct validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory‐General Survey (MBI‐GS) scale, using data from two Chinese samples (848 student social workers and 748 professional social workers). The original three‐factor model was regarded as superior to other competing models. Investigation of the second‐order factor model indicated that exhaustion and cynicism are core components but that personal efficacy is not. The research also revealed the differential predictability of the three subscales of the MBI‐GS. Our expectation that differential patterns of effects could be predicted was largely supported. Professional efficacy plays a key mediating role in the relationship between student social workers' professional identity and their satisfaction with fieldwork, while social workers' cynicism is the main mediator in the relationship between their professional identity and turnover intention. Therefore, identifying at‐risk students and professional social workers to undertake appropriate intervention strategies that focus on both their professional identity and different dimensions of burnout may be an effective way to prevent students' dissatisfaction and reduce social worker turnover.