Correlates of Psychological Burnout Phases among Police Officers

Abstract

This investigation examined the usefulness of a phase model of burnout. Eight hundred and twenty-eight men and women in police work provided data using a questionnaire completed anonymously. Eight progressive phases of burnout were created using high and low divisions on the three subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Measures of work setting, experienced stress, and emotional and physical well-being were significantly related to progressive phases of burnout. Work and personal experience grew worse as burnout progressed through more advanced phases. Comparisons with other data revealed potential occupational and organizational differences in numbers of respondents in various phases of burnout.