Burnout syndrome among special education professionals

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the level of Burnout syndrome (BOS) among special educators in Serbia and to investigate the relationship between demographic characteristics (gender, age, years of working experience, parental status etc.) and syndromic burden. The complexity of problems in working with persons with developmental disabilities, slow rehabilitation process, and frequent discrepancy between the achievable results and parental expectations of children with disabilities, are some of the factors that additionally burden professionals who deal with this delicate population. Data were collected by surveying 129 professionals in six institutions in five cities in Serbia. Each participant filled the questionnaire in voluntarily, anonymous fashion. Data were collected by Maslach Burnout Inventory (adjusted Croatian translation) which measures BOS level presence and with a series of survey questions, which enquired the main demographic information (age, gender, martial status, years of practice, parental status etc.) Respondents gave answers to Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human service survey. According to our findings, a high level of emotional exhaustion was present among 35.7% of examinees, a high level of reduced professional accomplishment was present in 11.6% of examinees, while 1.6% of examinees exhibited elements of depersonalisation. Examinees financial situation proved to be a particularly important factor for Burnout syndrome manifestation. Even though clearly confirmed amongst special educators in Serbia, the Burnout syndrome represents a phenomenon. Possible reflections of such phenomenon are not acknowledged on a wider scale. Even though 92% of the respondents in the conducted study believe that there should be some sort of support program and stress management program for employees, these programs do not exist in any institution for persons with developmental disabilities in Serbia.