Burnout Test using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)

Free Burnout Test: Uncover Burnout Levels with Maslach Inventory

Feeling constantly exhausted, detached from your job, or questioning your effectiveness at work? You might be experiencing burnout. This Burnout Test, based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), can help you assess your level of burnout and provide practical recommendations. Take a few minutes to complete the test and discover how you can start feeling better and regain your energy.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It often occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. This condition can affect anyone, but it’s particularly common in professions that involve high levels of human interaction, such as healthcare, education, and social work.

Who is this Burnout Test For?

This burnout test is designed for anyone who feels they might be experiencing burnout. If you’ve been feeling consistently exhausted, detached from your work, or ineffective in your role, this test could help you understand whether you’re facing burnout.

Understanding the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is a diagnostic tool developed by Christina Maslach, one of the leading researchers in the field of burnout. It measures burnout across three key dimensions:

  1. Emotional Exhaustion: This dimension measures feelings of being emotionally overextended and exhausted by one’s work. If you find yourself mentally drained at the end of each day, this could be a sign of burnout.
  2. Depersonalization: This refers to an unfeeling and impersonal response toward recipients of your care or service. It’s a way of distancing yourself from the demands of your work.
  3. Personal Accomplishment: This measures feelings of competence and successful achievement in your work. A decline in personal accomplishment is a common result of chronic stress and burnout.

Signs of Burnout

Recognizing the signs of burnout is the first step toward addressing it. Here are some common indicators:

  • Physical Exhaustion: Feeling constantly tired and drained, even after a full night’s sleep.
  • Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling emotionally depleted, as if you have nothing left to give.
  • Detachment: Becoming cynical or critical at work, feeling detached from your job or colleagues.
  • Decreased Productivity: Struggling to complete tasks, even those you used to handle easily.

The Burnout Test

This burnout test is based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and is designed to help you assess the level of burnout you may be experiencing. The test is simple: you’ll answer a series of questions related to your feelings and experiences at work. Your responses will help identify whether you are suffering from burnout and how severe it might be.

Taking the Test: A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Emotional Exhaustion Scale (Section A): Rate how often you feel emotionally drained from your work. Do you feel fatigued when you think about another day at the office?
  2. Depersonalization Scale (Section B): Consider how often you feel detached or indifferent towards your clients or colleagues. Are you becoming more cynical or callous?
  3. Personal Accomplishment Scale (Section C): Reflect on your feelings of competence and achievement. Do you feel effective in your job, or are you doubting your abilities more frequently?

Why You Should Take This Test

If you’re experiencing burnout, it’s crucial to identify it early. Chronic stress, if left unchecked, can lead to serious physical and mental health issues. This test is a valuable tool for understanding your current state and deciding whether it’s time to seek help from a mental health professional.

What to Do If You’re Experiencing Burnout

If your results indicate that you’re experiencing burnout, it’s important to take action:

  1. Seek Professional Help: A mental health professional can offer support and strategies to manage burnout and chronic stress.
  2. Make Time for Self-Care: Prioritize activities that help you relax and recharge, such as exercise, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.
  3. Reevaluate Workload: Consider speaking with your employer about your workload. Sometimes, adjustments can be made to reduce stress.
  4. Build a Support Network: Connect with colleagues or friends who can provide support and understanding during this challenging time.

Let’s Recap

Burnout is a serious condition that affects both your physical and emotional well-being. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is a widely recognized diagnostic tool that helps assess the level of burnout you may be experiencing. By taking this burnout test, you can gain valuable insights into your mental health and take the necessary steps to improve it.

Quiz Results Interpretation

After completing the burnout test, your total scores will be divided into three sections, each representing a different aspect of burnout: Burnout (Exhaustion), Depersonalization, and Personal Achievement. Your results in each section will help determine the severity of your burnout.

Section A: Burnout (Exhaustion)

This section reflects your level of emotional and physical exhaustion related to work. Symptoms may include chronic fatigue, trouble sleeping, and physical issues. Unlike depression, these symptoms typically improve when you’re away from work.

  • Total 17 or less: Low-level burnout
    You are experiencing low levels of burnout. While some fatigue might be present, it’s likely manageable and not severely impacting your daily life.
  • Total between 18 and 29: Moderate burnout
    You are showing moderate signs of burnout. This level indicates that while you are coping, there are notable signs of stress and exhaustion that need to be addressed before they worsen.
  • Total over 30: High-level burnout
    You are experiencing high levels of burnout. This indicates severe exhaustion that is likely affecting your health and well-being. Immediate action is recommended to address these issues.

Section B: Depersonalization

This section measures the degree of detachment and loss of empathy you may be experiencing in your work relationships. High levels of depersonalization often lead to cynicism, guilt, and social withdrawal.

  • Total 5 or less: Low-level burnout
    You have a low level of depersonalization, meaning you likely maintain healthy, empathetic relationships with colleagues and patients.
  • Total between 6 and 11: Moderate burnout
    You are experiencing moderate levels of depersonalization. While not extreme, this detachment may be affecting your interactions at work.
  • Total of 12 and greater: High-level burnout
    You are experiencing a high level of depersonalization, indicating significant detachment from your work and possibly your colleagues. This can lead to feelings of isolation and cynicism.

Section C: Personal Achievement

This section assesses how you view your effectiveness and accomplishments at work. A lower score indicates a reduced sense of personal achievement, which can result from burnout and chronic stress.

  • Total 33 or less: High-level burnout
    You may feel that you are not achieving as much as you should and doubt your abilities. This is a common outcome of prolonged burnout.
  • Total between 34 and 39: Moderate burnout
    You are moderately affected in your sense of personal achievement. While you may have some doubts about your effectiveness, you still recognize some accomplishments.
  • Total greater than 40: Low-level burnout.
    You have a healthy sense of personal achievement, indicating that you feel competent and effective in your work, even if other areas are challenging.

Understanding Your Overall Burnout Level

  • High scores in Sections A and B and a low score in Section C indicates a severe level of burnout. This combination suggests that you are feeling highly exhausted and detached from your work while also experiencing a significant decrease in your sense of accomplishment.

Next Steps

If your results indicate moderate to high levels of burnout, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. Addressing burnout early can prevent further deterioration of your physical and mental health and help restore your well-being.

1. Understand Your Results: Reflect on your score and what it says about your current state. Burnout is a serious issue, but it’s also manageable with the right steps.

2. Take Action: Depending on your score, it may be time to make changes in your work or personal life. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, whether from a mental health professional or a supportive colleague.

3. Follow-up: If your score is in the moderate or high-risk categories, consider retaking the test after a few months to see if your situation has improved.

This test and its results are not meant to replace professional medical advice. If you believe you are experiencing burnout, it’s crucial to speak with a mental health professional who can provide personalized guidance.

Related Quiz

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is this test accurate?
    The burnout test based on the MBI is a reliable tool for assessing burnout. However, it’s important to remember that it’s not a substitute for a professional diagnosis.
  • What should I do if my test indicates I’m experiencing burnout?
    If your test results show signs of burnout, consider seeking further guidance from a mental health professional.
  • How can I manage burnout?
    Managing burnout involves a combination of self-care, seeking professional help, and possibly changing one’s work environment.

  • Question of

    (Section A)
    I feel emotionally drained by my work.

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    Working with people all day long requires a great deal of effort.

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    I feel like my work is breaking me down.

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  • Question of

    I feel frustrated by my work.

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    I feel I work too hard at my job.

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  • Question of

    It stresses me too much to work in direct contact with people.

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  • Question of

    I feel like I’m at the end of my rope.

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  • Question of

    (Section B)
    I feel I look after certain patients/clients impersonally, as if they are objects.

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  • Question of

    I feel tired when I get up in the morning and have to face another day at work.

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  • Question of

    I have the impression that my patients/clients make me responsible for some of their problems.

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  • Question of

    I am at the end of my patience at the end of my work day.

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  • Question of

    I really don’t care about what happens to some of my patients/clients.

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  • Question of

    I have become more insensitive to people since I’ve been working.

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  • Question of

    I’m afraid that this job is making me uncaring.

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    (Section C)
    I accomplish many worthwhile things in this job.

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  • Question of

    I feel full of energy.

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  • Question of

    I am easily able to understand what my patients/clients feel.

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  • Question of

    I look after my patients’/clients’ problems very effectively.

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  • Question of

    In my work, I handle emotional problems very calmly.

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    Correct Wrong

  • Question of

    Through my work, I feel that I have a positive influence on people.

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  • Question of

    I am easily able to create a relaxed atmosphere with my patients/clients.

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  • Question of

    I feel refreshed when I have been close to my patients/clients at work.

    • Never
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    Correct Wrong