The conceptualization and measurement of burnout: Common ground and worlds apart The views expressed inWork & StressCommentaries are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily represent those of any other person or organization, or of the journal.

2005/07/01 by Wilmar B. Schaufeli, Toon W. Taris · 8 citations
Health Professions · Psychology · #Burnout #Clinical psychology #Conceptualization #Cynicism #Depersonalization #Emotional exhaustion #Epistemology #Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout #Measure (data warehouse) #Psychology #Social psychology #Stress and Burnout Research #Workplace Health and Well-being

paper · doi:10.1080/02678370500385913

openalex publication_date 2005/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

In this edition of Work & Stress, Kristensen and his colleagues critically discuss the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and present an alternative, more general instrument to measure burnout that exclusively focuses on exhaustion. Here we critically examine their reasons for developing a new burnout measure, as well as the theoretical foundations of this measure. Whereas we agree with Kristensen et al.'s remarks concerning the availability and item wording of the MBI, we do not share their concerns regarding its theoretical underpinnings. In our view, burnout should be conceptualized as a primarily work-related syndrome of (at least) exhaustion and depersonalization/cynicism. The MBI would seem to fit that conceptualization very well.

Citations

• Past performance and future perspectives of burnout research
• on the clinical validity of the maslach burnout inventory and the burnout measure
• Burnout and Engagement in University Students
• Work stress and attentional difficulties: An initial study on burnout and cognitive failures
• The measurement of experienced burnout
• Are there causal relationships between the dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory? A review and two longitudinal tests
• The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: A new tool for the assessment of burnout

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