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The MBI Scale

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was the first scale created to scientifically measure burnout and has proven to have high reliability and validity as a measure of burnout (Maslach and Jackson). As such, it is often used in research and studies related to burnout in the workplace. 

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The MBI is characterized by three dimensions (Maslach and Leiter):

  • Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion

  • Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job

  • Reduced professional efficacy

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Scores in each category are dependent on how often the participant had those feelings throughout the day. Burnout is linked with those who received a negative score in all three categories.

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Misuse of MBI Scale

While the MBI scale is the most widespread and accurate way of measuring burnout, it is easy to misuse the scale and thus lead to wrong diagnosis. One such way is assuming that the three categories (exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy) are symptoms of burnout, and experiencing one of them is enough to identify someone with burnout. This is often a result of people assuming that the MBI scale is a tool to diagnose burnout when, in actuality, the World Health Organization (WHO) made clear in their 2019 statement that burnout is not classified as a medical condition but rather a syndrome caused by unmanaged chronic workplace stress. As such the MBI scale should not be used to self-diagnose or diagnose others with burnout. 

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Evolution of the MBI Scale

After more research and studies were conducted, the three MBI dimensions included more than just burnout. A total of five profiles were generated based on the scores a person received on the MBI dimensional. ​

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  • Burnout: negative scores on exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy

  • Overextended: strong negative score on exhaustion only

  • Ineffective: strong negative score on professional efficacy only

  • Disengaged: strong negative score on cynicism only

  • Engagement: strong positive scores on exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy

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The WHO recognises burn out as a phenomenon existing in only a workplace environment and as a result, the MBI scale aligns with identifying signs of burnout in an occupational capacity. Furthermore, “Maslach and her collaborators have developed a comprehensive model identifying six key components of the workplace environment that contribute to burnout: workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values”, with burnout being linked to these factors coming into conflict with an individual’s work style (Michel). 

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References​

“Burn-out an ‘Occupational Phenomenon’: International Classification of Diseases.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 28 May 2019, www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases. 

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Maslach, Christina and Michael P. Leiter. “How to Measure Burnout Accurately and Ethically.” Harvard Business Review, 19 Mar. 2021, hbr.org/2021/03/how-to-measure-burnout-accurately-and-ethically. 

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Maslach, Christina, and Susan E. Jackson. “The Measurement of Experienced Burnout.” Journal of Organizational Behavior, vol. 2, no. 2, Wiley, Apr. 1981, pp. 99–113, https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205. 

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Michel, Alexandra. “Burnout and the Brain.” APS Observer, vol. 29, 2016, www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/burnout-and-the-brain

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