An Examination of the Structural Validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) Using the Rasch Measurement Model

Background: Health professional students often experience stress and potential burnout when completing their entry-to-practice education. Therefore, having valid scales such as the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) to detect and monitor burnout amongst health professional students is paramount. Purpose: This study investigated the structural validity of the three individual Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) subscales. In particular, the dimensionality, scalability, differential item functioning (DIF) based on gender, rating scale structure, and reliability of the three MBI-SS were examined. Method: A sample of 225 Australian occupational therapy undergraduate students completed it. The Rasch Measurement Model (RMM) was used to analyse the MBI-SS item data from the three MBI-SS subscales: Exhaustion, Cynicism, and Professional / Academic Efficacy. Results: Results supported the unidimensionality and scalability of the three individual MBI-SS and all items from the three subscales met the RMM fit statistics requirements. None of the subscale items exhibited DIF based on gender and the appropriateness of the MBI-SS rating scales were confirmed. The item and person reliability indices were > 0.80 and > 0.77 respectively for each subscale. Discussion and conclusion: The RMM analysis findings indicate that the three individual MBI-SS subscales exhibited adequate levels of structural validity in relation to dimensionality and DIF when completed by occupational therapy students. Keywords: Burnout, Validity, Education, Educational measurement, Occupational therap