Factors Affecting the Progression towards Burnout: A Comparison of Professional and Volunteer Counsellors

Abstract

This study compared professional and volunteer counsellors on a number of key variables in the progression to burnout, namely, stressors, strain, defensive coping, social support, Type A personality, and breakdown. Job stressors unique to each group were identified but there was overwhelming evidence for professionals and volunteers belonging to a homogeneous counselling population as evidenced by similarity across major constructs. Path analysis supported theoretical formulations on burnout by Maslach and Cherniss, and gave support to Lin, Dean, and Ensel's argument that social support may act as a buffer to burnout.