Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Dr. Rigaud Joseph

Abstract

Burnout, characterized by prolonged emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, is a widespread issue affecting millions of professionals in the United States and globally. Previous research has not adequately addressed the phenomenon of burnout, particularly in California. This study took a mixed-methods approach to determine the scope of, contributing factors to, and coping strategies for burnout among mental health professionals in Northern California. A sample of 93 mental health professionals completed a survey that contained both closed-ended and open-ended questions on burnout. Descriptive statistics indicated that 89.2% of participants experienced a moderate to severe level of burnout at work. Meanwhile, thematic analysis results identified the following five themes: personal factors of burnout, organizational factors of burnout, limited personal coping strategies for mental health professionals, ineffective organizational coping strategies, and burnout as an organization-generated problem. The findings of this study have implications for theory, research, and social work practice. In particular, the findings call upon mental health professionals and stakeholders to reflect on the significance of burnout as a serious problem. The findings also call on human services organizations to take reasonable steps toward making the workplace a less stressful environment.

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