Depersonalization: A Valid Dimension of Burnout?

Abstract

A major underlying assumption in burnout research is that burnout is a phenomenon to be found primarily in the human services professions. The focus of this study is the effect this assumption has had on conventional definitions of burnout. The generalizability of the concept of depersonalization, frequently cited as a part of burnout, is tested in a nonhuman services occupation. In addition, the study controls for the effect of Jungian psychological type, since one particular Jungian type is overrepresented in the human services. It was found that depersonalization was not a salient construct in this occupational setting. Further, the construct was not the unidimensional one said to exist in the human services. It was also found to be type-specific. Negative reactions to other people were associated with the burnout measure only for that Jungian type which predominates in the human services. Another Jungian type, which is underrepresented in that occupational arena, reacted with a greater degree of personalization. The concept of depersonalization may, therefore, not only not be applicable across all situations but not applicable across all individuals.