Burnout Self-Test: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is a widely used tool to help assess the risk of burnout. It examines three key components: exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal achievement. While this test can be insightful, it is not a diagnostic tool. Its purpose is to raise awareness about burnout risk.

Instructions:

Response Scale Score: 1-6

Never = 0. A few times per year = 1. Once a month = 2. A few times per month = 3. Once a week = 4. A few times per week = 5. Every day = 6.

For each question, select the number that best represents how often you experience the described feeling.

Section A: Emotional Exhaustion

• I feel emotionally drained by my work.

• Working with people all day long requires a great deal of effort.

• I feel like my work is breaking me down.

• I feel frustrated by my work.

• I feel I work too hard at my job.

• It stresses me too much to work in direct contact with people.

• I feel like I’m at the end of my rope.

Total Score for Section A:

Section B: Depersonalization

• I feel I look after certain patients/clients impersonally, as if they are objects.

• I feel tired when I get up in the morning and have to face another day at work.

• I have the impression that my patients/clients make me responsible for some of their problems.

• I am at the end of my patience at the end of my workday.

• I really don’t care about what happens to some of my patients/clients.

• I have become more insensitive to people since I’ve been working.

• I’m afraid that this job is making me uncaring.

Total Score for Section B:

Section C: Personal Achievement

• I accomplish many worthwhile things in this job.

• I feel full of energy.

• I am easily able to understand what my patients/clients feel.

• I look after my patients’/clients’ problems very effectively.

• In my work, I handle emotional problems very calmly.

• Through my work, I feel that I have a positive influence on people.

• I am easily able to create a relaxed atmosphere with my patients/clients.

• I feel refreshed when I have been close to my patients/clients at work.

Total Score for Section C:

Scoring Interpretation

Section A: Burnout

• 0 – 17: Low-level burnout

• 18 – 29: Moderate burnout

• 30+ : High-level burnout

Section B: Depersonalization

• 0 – 5: Low-level burnout

• 6 – 11: Moderate burnout

• 12+ : High-level burnout

Section C: Personal Achievement

• 33+ : Low-level burnout

• 34 – 39: Moderate burnout

• ≤ 33: High-level burnout

Interpretation Tip: A high score in Sections A and B, combined with a low score in Section C, may indicate burnout.

Important Note:

This test is for self-assessment only and not a medical diagnosis. If you are experiencing stress or burnout symptoms, consider consulting a mental health professional, counselor, or medical doctor.

Reference:
Maslach, C., Jackson, S.E., & Leiter, M.P. (1996). Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual (3rd ed.). Consulting Psychologists Press.