Are Social Workers Really Burned Out? An Analysis between Rural and Urban Social Workers

Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, this study assesses levels of burnout among rural and urban social workers using a self-administered random sample survey of 1,665 respondents across eight primarily rural states. Demographic, bivariate, and ordinary least squared regression methods reveal that while participants showed little burnout, and no differences were observed between rural and urban social workers, significant differences were identified within groups. Findings suggest that differences within groups are based on length of time as a social worker and number of hours worked. In addition, social workers who were employed fewer years and worked longer hours showed higher levels of burnout