Burnout and Demographic variables
Reported research shows that age has impact on burnout scores (Ahola, Hankonen, Virtanen,
Aromaa & Lonnqvist 2008; Brewer &Shapards 2004; Cordes &Dougherty 2008 Maslach,
Schaufeli & Leiter 2001). Maslach et al. (2001) stated the variable of age is consistently related
to burnout. They further postulated that those who burnout early in their careers are likely to quit
hence introducing the concept of survival bias in burnout. Brewer and Shapards (2004) reported
that age is negatively correlated to burnout. Other studies showed that younger individuals
reported higher burnout levels. The older the counsellor the more likely it is for them to
experience less emotional exhaustion and less depersonalization (Cordes & Dougherty 2008;
Garner, Knight & Simpson 2007; Maslach & Jackson 1981).
Butler and Constantine (2005) found that counsellors who were older and employed longer
reported higher levels of burnout than their younger counterparts did. Further distinctions have
been made on this relationship; Ahola et al. (2008) reported that age was differently related to
burnout scores among young, middle aged and aging men and women. They further postulated
that burnout increases and decreases with age. This they attributed to the diverse phases of work,
career and family life. Maslach et al. (2001) stated that burnout appears earlier in ones career.
Young (2015) stated that age is reliably correlated to burnout and that burnout is a risk earlier in
one’s career.
Regarding the variable of gender, Young (2015) stated that gender is not a strong predictor of
burnout. He summarised that reported studies show three different scenarios namely high
burnout for women, high burnout for men and no overall differences in scores (Young 2015). On
the other hand, Jackson (1993) reported that gender has an impact on burnout.
Reported research reveals that Men and Women present differences in levels of the three burnout
scores (Cordes & Dougherty, 2008; Maslach & Jackson, 1981; Lemkau, Rafferty, Purdy &
Rudisill, 1987). In addition, Ahola et al. (2008) reported that burnout scores varied between
males and females especially when related to age. Garner et al. (2007) reported that male
counsellors tend to have higher rates of burnout. Thomas, Kohli & Choi (2014) found that male
social service workers experienced higher levels of burnout compared to female counterparts.
Rupert, Stevanovic and Hunley (2009) stated that women experienced greater emotional
exhaustion compared to men. Kumar, Fischer, Robinson, Hatcha and Bhagal (2007) reported
that women had lower scores on the personal accomplishment scales.
Research presents evidence of the relationship between burnout and employment status (Aksu &
Temeloglu, 2015; Thomas et al., 2014; Ramarajan & Barsade, 2006; Rupert & Morgan, 2005).
Aksu and Temeloglu (2015) reported that there is significant difference between employment
status and burnout scores. Ramarajan and Barsade (2006) stated that employees on permanent
terms reported high levels of burnout. Similarly Thomas et al. (2014) reported that longer tenure
employees are more likely to be associated with more burnout. Rupert and Morgan (2005)
reported that independent practitioners reported less burnout than their agency employed peers.
Concerning the relationship between education and burnout, Young (2015) reported it is difficult
to interpret the relationship between education and burnout because higher levels influence status
and occupation. Maslach et al. (2001) reported differences in burnout scores due to education
level. Accordingly, more education was associated with higher scores on the emotional
exhaustion subscale particularly among those with Postgraduate education. Leary and Brown
(1995) in a study of nurses reported that those who undertook additional training after their
initial qualifications were less likely to be emotionally exhausted. Maslach and Jackson (1981)
reported differences on depersonalization scores based on education level; those who were less
educated had higher depersonalization scores. Thomas et al. (2014) reported that counsellors that
are more educated and those with higher caseloads experienced higher job burnout rates.
Previous research demonstrates the relationship between duration of employment and burnout.
Kumar et al. (2007) found that longer duration of employment was associated with lower levels
of depersonalization. Butler and Constantine (2005) in a study of school counsellors found that
counsellors with more than 20 years of work experience experienced more depersonalization
compared to counsellors who have worked for 0-9 years. In the same breath, they found that
counsellors who had worked for more than 30 years reported lower levels of personal
accomplishment (Butler & Constantine 2005).
Similarly, Aksu and Temeloglu (2015) reported significant difference between years of service
and burnout. In their study, they found that those who worked for 7 to 10 years experienced more
burnout than those working less than a year. This confirms that indeed older workers familiar
with workload expectations are less likely to experience burnout compared to younger ones
(Maslach & Jackson, 1981; Shiron, Toker, Berliner & Shapira 2008).
Previous research suggests that there is a relationship between marital status and burnout.
Maslach, Schaufeli and Leiter (2001) stated that marital status is significantly related to
emotional exhaustion more so for those who are single or divorced. They further
stated that unmarried men are more prone to burnout than those married. In
addition, they reported that single individuals are prone to burnout than those
divorced. Maslach and Jackson (1981) reported that married individuals present
with lower levels of burnout.
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