Predictors of burnout among military mental health providers

Mental health treatment of military service members places unique demands on providers as their patients experience combat stress. This study assessed levels and predictors of burnout among mental health providers (N = 97) at military facilities, using a self-administered survey of demographic and work-related measures and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Burnout levels were comparable to studies of civilian mental health providers but were less severe than those of the Maslach Burnout Inventory normative sample. Working more hours, having more patients with personality disorders, increased patient caseloads, female gender, and being a psychiatrist were predictive of higher burnout scores. Having more confidants at work, a greater percentage of patients with traumatic brain injury, more clinical experience, and being a psychologist predicted lower burnout scores. These findings suggest that burnout levels among military providers are similar to those among civilian providers and may be alleviated by interventions targeting general institutional risk factors.