Validation Of Maslach Burnout Inventory

Abstract

Stress, burnout and its related clinical components remain largely unidentified mental health issues especially among Nigerian healthcare givers. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is designed to measure the intensity and frequency of perceived burnout among persons in the helping profession in general. This study aimed to establish the psychometric properties of MBI. A total of 100 doctors and nurses and 50 students consisting of 101 males and 49 females in the age range 23 to 50 (Mean = 33.85) years completed the MBI and Psychophysiological Symptoms Checklist (PSC). Psychometric properties of the MBI including its reliability and validity were assessed. The normative scores were: emotional exhaustion = 7.52, dehumanization = 2.52 and reduced personal accomplishment =12.12. The reliability coefficients were: Cronbach’s Alpha = .86, Split-half = .57 and Odd-Even = .92. By correlating MBI with PSC concurrent validity coefficients in the range .01-.36 were obtained. Because of its reliability, validity, brevity and ease of administration, the MBI is considered a useful instrument for measuring burnout among Nigerians. However, more studies are needed to further ascertain the potentials of this instrument among other categories of Nigerian health workers.