Burnout is a serious health disorder that has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI) provides a broader conceptualisation of burnout by including feelings of guilt as a dimension to explain its development. The validity of the SBI in India has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the factorial validity of the SBI in India. The sample consisted of 210 Indian professionals working with people (nurses, teachers and others), 80% of whom were women, who completed either the Tamil (36.70%) or English translations of the questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) programme. The results indicate that the factor solution revealed four factors underlying the 20 items, reproducing a structure consistent with the original model. The cumulative variance explained was 60.55%. Cronbach’s alpha values for all subscales were higher than .70. We conclude that the SBI demonstrates factorial validity and that its scales present adequate internal consistency. Hence, the SBI can be considered a satisfactory instrument for evaluating burnout syndrome among Indian human services professionals.
AbramsonA. (2022). Burnout and stress are everywhere. Monitor on Psychology, 53(1), 72–73.
2.
AlianteG., CarlottoM. S., AbacarM., CâmaraS. G., & JoséC. M. (2024). Validity evidence of the Spanish Burnout Inventory in Mozambican teachers. Psicologia, 38(2), 59–67. https://doi.org/10.17575/psicologia.1964
3.
Al-SalomP., & MillerC. J. (2019). The problem with online data collection: Predicting invalid responding in undergraduate samples. Current Psychology, 38(5), 1258–1264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9674-9
4.
American Psychological Association. (2022). Work and well-being survey reports. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-well-being/compounding-pressure-2021
5.
AmoraJ. T. (2021). Convergent validity assessment in PLS-SEM: A loadings-driven approach. Data Analysis Perspectives Journal, 2(3), 1–6.
ArtzB., KayaI., & KayaO. (2022). Gender role perspectives and job burnout. Review of Economics of the Household, 20(2), 447–470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11150-021-09579-2
8.
BarkerG. G., VolkF., & PetersC. (2021). Cultural influences on burnout: A Swedish-American comparison. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 14(2), 181–200. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-06-2019-0085
9.
BosleA., & Gil-MonteP. R. (2010). Psychometric properties of the Spanish Burnout Inventory in German professionals: Preliminary results. Ansiedad y Estrés, 6(2–3), 283–291.
10.
ByrneB. M. (2010). Structural equation modeling with AMOS: Basic concepts, applications, and programming. Routledge.
11.
CarlottoM. S., Gil-MonteP. R., & Figueiredo-FerrazH. (2015). Factor analysis of the Spanish Burnout Inventory among public administration employees. Japanese Psychological Research, 57(2), 155–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpr.12071
12.
Deroncele-AcostaA., Gil-MonteP. R., Norabuena-FigueroaR. P., & Gil-LaOrdenP. (2023). Psychometric properties of the Spanish Burnout Inventory in university teachers in hybrid education. Chronic Stress, 7, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/24705470231214950
13.
DíazF., & GómezI. C. (2016). La investigación sobre el síndrome de burnout en Latinoamérica entre 2000 y el 2010 [The research on burnout syndrome in Latin America between 2000 and 2010]. Psicología desde el Caribe, 33(1), 113–131. https://rcientificas.uninorte.edu.co/index.php/psicologia/article/view/6442
14.
DijxhoornA. Q., BromL., van der LindenY. M., LegetC., & RaijmakersN. J. (2021). Prevalence of burnout in healthcare professionals providing palliative care and the effect of interventions to reduce symptoms: A systematic literature review. Palliative Medicine, 35(1), 6–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216320956825
15.
EbertJ. F., HuibersL., ChristensenB., & ChristensenM. B. (2018). Paper- or web-based questionnaire invitations as a method for data collection: Cross-sectional comparative study of differences in response rate, completeness of data, and financial cost. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(1), Article e24. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8353
16.
EstevesG. G., LeãoA. A., & AlvesE. (2020). Evidências de validade do “Cuestionario para la Evaluacion del Sindrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo” em profissionais da saúde [Evidences of validity of “Cuestionario para la Evaluacion del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo” in health professionals]. Psico, 51(4), Article e-33335. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2020.4.33335
17.
Eurofound. (2016). Sixth European Working Conditions Survey—Overview report. Publications Office of the European Union. https://assets.eurofound.europa.eu/f/279033/75885649e5/ef1634en.pdf
18.
Eurofound. (2018). Burnout in the workplace: A review of data and policy responses in the EU. Publications Office of the European Union. https://assets.eurofound.europa.eu/f/279033/8b48f32894/ef18047en.pdf
19.
FarberB. A. (2000). Treatment strategies for different types of teacher burnout. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(5), 675–689. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1097-4679(200005)56:5<675::aid-jclp8>3.0.co;2-d
20.
Figueiredo-FerrazH., Gil-MonteP. R., & Grau-AlberolaE. (2013). Psychometric properties of the “Spanish Burnout Inventory” (SBI): Adaptation and validation in a Portuguese-speaking sample. European Review of Applied Psychology, 63(1), 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erap.2012.08.003
21.
Figueiredo-FerrazH., Gil-MonteP. R., Grau-AlberolaE., & Ribeiro do CoutoB. (2021). The mediator role of feelings of guilt in the process of burnout and psychosomatic disorders: A cross-cultural study. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 751211. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.751211
22.
FornellC., & LarckerD. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312
23.
GarcíaL. M., AguirreD. C., ZapataC. M., & GarcíaH. I. (2022). Validity and reliability of the SBI (Spanish Burnout Inventory) in medical surgical specialists. Colombian Journal of Anesthesiology, 50, Article e1017. https://doi.org/10.5554/22562087.e1017
24.
GeM. W., HuF. H., JiaY. J., TangW., ZhangW. Q., & ChenH. L. (2023). Global prevalence of nursing burnout syndrome and temporal trends for the last 10 years: A meta-analysis of 94 studies covering over 30 countries. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 32(17–18), 5836–5854. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16708
25.
GetieA., AyenewT., AmlakB. T., GedfewM., EdmealemA., & KebedeW. M. (2025). Global prevalence and contributing factors of nurse burnout: An umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Nursing, 24(1), Article 596. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03266-8
26.
Gil-LaOrdenP., CarlottoM. S., & Gil-MonteP. R. (2024). The role of guilt feelings in the development of the burnout process: The influence on psychosomatic problems. Behavioral Sciences, 14(12), Article 1196. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121196
27.
GilletN., MorinA. J., ColombatP., NdiayeA., & FouquereauE. (2023). Burnout profiles: Dimensionality, replicability, and associations with predictors and outcomes. Current Psychology, 42(6), 4504–4522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01807-3
28.
Gil-MonteP. R. (2005) El síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo. Una enfermedad laboral en la sociedad del bienestar[Burnout: An occupational illness in the society of well-being]. Pirámide.
29.
Gil-MonteP. R. (2012). The influence of guilt on the relationship between burnout and depression. European Psychologist, 17(3), 231–236. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000096
30.
Gil-MonteP. R. (2019). CESQT. Cuestionario para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo. Manual[SBI. Spanish Burnout Inventory. Manual] (2nd ed.). TEA Ediciones.
31.
Gil-MonteP. R., CarlottoM. S., & GonçalvesS. (2010). Validation of the Brazilian version of the “Spanish Burnout Inventory” in teachers. Revista de Saúde Pública, 44(1), 140–147. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010000100015
32.
Gil-MonteP. R., & Figueiredo-FerrazH. (2013). Psychometric properties of the ‘Spanish Burnout Inventory’ among employees working with people with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 57(10), 959–968. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01591.x
33.
Gil-MonteP. R., Figueiredo-FerrazH., & Valdez BonillaH. (2013). Factor analysis of the Spanish Burnout Inventory among Mexican prison employees. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 45(2), 96–104. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027883
34.
Gil-MonteP. R., & Manzano-GarcíaG. (2015). Psychometric properties of the Spanish Burnout Inventory among staff nurses. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 22(10), 756–763. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12255
35.
Gil-MonteP. R., & NoyolaV. S. (2011). Estructura factorial del “Cuestionario para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo” en maestros mexicanos de educación primaria. Revista Mexicana de Psicología, 28(1), 75–84.
36.
Gil-MonteP. R., & Olivares-FaúndezV. (2011). Psychometric properties of the “Spanish Burnout Inventory” in Chilean professionals working to physical disabled people. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 14(1), 441–451. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_SJOP.2011.v14.n1.40
37.
GilmourA. F., SandilosL. E., PilnyW. V., SchwartzS., & WehbyJ. H. (2022). Teaching students with emotional/behavioral disorders: Teachers’ burnout profiles and classroom management. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 30(1), 16–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/10634266211020258
38.
Gómez-AcostaA., Sierra-BarónW., RiverosF., Sandoval-ReyesJ., SánchezM., ArceJ. P., AguilarL. C., & VillegasM. A. (2023). Psychometric properties of the Spanish Burnout Inventory in Colombian health professionals. Informes Psicológicos, 23(1), 207–222. http://dx.doi.org/10.18566/infpsic.v23n1a13
39.
GuidettiG., ViottiS., Gil-MonteP. R., & ConversoD. (2018). Feeling guilty or not guilty. Identifying burnout profiles among Italian teachers. Current Psychology, 37(4), 769–780. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-016-9556-6
40.
HadžibajramovićE., HanssonM., AkerstromM., DenckerA., & HensingG. (2022). Burnout among midwives—The factorial structure of the burnout assessment tool and an assessment of burnout levels in a Swedish national sample. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), Article, 1167. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08552-8
41.
HairJ. F., BlackW. C., BabinB. J., & AndersonR. E. (2014). Multivariate data analysis: Global edition (7th ed). Pearson.
42.
HensonR. K. (2001). Understanding internal consistency reliability estimates: A conceptual primer on coefficient alpha. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 34, 177–189. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481756.2002.12069034
43.
KaiserH. F. (1974). An index of factorial simplicity. Psychometrika, 39(1), 32–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02291575
44.
KesarwaniV., HusaainZ. G., & GeorgeJ. (2020). Prevalence and factors associated with burnout among healthcare professionals in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 42(2), 108–115. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_387_19
45.
KingM. F., & BrunerG. C. (1999). Social desirability bias: A neglected aspect of validity testing. Psychology & Marketing, 17(2), 79–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1520-6793(200002)17:2<79::AID-MAR2>3.0.CO;2-0
46.
KlineR. B. (2016). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (4th ed.). The Guilford Press.
47.
LiaoP., & HsiehJ. (2017). Does internet-based survey have more stable and unbiased results than paper-and-pencil survey?Open Journal of Social Sciences, 5, 69–86. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2017.51006
48.
Llorca-PellicerM., Soto-RubioA., & Gil-MonteP. R. (2021). Development of burnout syndrome in non-university teachers: Influence of demand and resource variables. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 644025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.644025
49.
Mendoza-MartínezI. A., García-RiveraB. R., & HemsworthD. (2023). Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI) validation among university professors during COVID-19. Investigación Administrativa, 52(131), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.35426/IAv52n131.01
50.
MisiołekA., Gil-MonteP. R., & MisiołekH. (2017). Prevalence of burnout in Polish anesthesiologists and anesthetist nursing professionals: A comparative non-randomized cross-sectional study. Journal of Health Psychology, 22(4), 465–474. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105315604377
51.
Misiolek-MarínA., Soto-RubioA., MisiolekH., & Gil-MonteP. R. (2020). Influence of burnout and feelings of guilt on depression and health in anesthesiologists. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), Article 9267. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249267
52.
NunnallyN. C. (1978). Psychometric theory. McGraw-Hill.
53.
Olivares-FaúndezV. E., & Gil-MonteP. R. (2007). Análisis de las propiedades psicométricas del “Cuestionario para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo” (CESQT) en profesionales chilenos [An exploratory factor analysis of the Job Burnout Syndrome Assessment Questionnaire (CESQT) in a Chilean sample]. Ansiedad y Estrés, 13, 229–240.
54.
Olivares-FaúndezV., Gil-MonteP. R., MontañoR., BarreraR., FredesD., & Figueiredo-FerrazH. (2018). Validez factorial del cuestionario para la evaluación del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (CESQT) en profesionales de servicios [Factorial validity of the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI) in a sample of service professionals]. Interciencia, 43(6), 417–424.
55.
ParkerG., & TavellaG. (2021). Distinguishing burnout from clinical depression: A theoretical differentiation template. Journal of Affective Disorders, 281, 168–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.022
56.
PengK., NisbettR. E., & WongN. Y. (1997). Validity problems comparing values across cultures and possible solutions. Psychological Methods, 2(4), 329–344. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.2.4.329
57.
PurvanovaR. K., & MurosJ. P. (2010). Gender differences in burnout: A meta-analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 77(2), 168–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2010.04.006
58.
RönkköM., & ChoE. (2022). An updated guideline for assessing discriminant validity. Organizational Research Methods, 25(1), 6–14. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428120968614
59.
SernaH. M., GarcíaB. R., OlguínJ. E., & VásquezD. (2018). Spanish Burnout Inventory: An approach based on meta-analysis. Revista Contaduría y Administración, 63(2), 1–13. http://doi.org/10.22201/fca.24488410e.2018.1120
60.
TabachnickB. G., & FidellL. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics (5th ed.). Pearson.
61.
TavakolM., & WetzelA. (2020). Factor analysis: A means for theory and instrument development in support of construct validity. International Journal of Medical Education, 11, 245–247. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.5f96.0f4a
62.
TopsM., BoksemM. A., WijersA. A., van DuinenH., Den BoerJ. A., MeijmanT. F., & KorfJ. (2007). The psychobiology of burnout: Are there two different syndromes?Neuropsychobiology, 55, 143–150. https://doi.org/10.1159/000106056
63.
VanheuleS., LievrouwA., & VerhaegheP. (2003). Burnout and intersubjectivity: A psychoanalytical study from a Lacanian perspective. Human Relations, 56, 321–328. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726703056003614
64.
van KleefG. A., & CôtéS. (2022). The social effects of emotions. Annual Review of Psychology, 73, 629–658. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-020821-010855
65.
ViottiS., Gil-MonteP. R., & ConversoD. (2015). Toward validating the Italian version of the “Spanish Burnout Inventory”: A preliminary study. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, 49(5), 819–825. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-623420150000500016
66.
WardP., ClarkT., ZabriskieR., & MorrisT. (2014). Paper/pencil versus online data collection. Journal of Leisure Research, 46(1), 84–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2014.11950314
67.
WeigoldA., WeigoldI. K., & RussellE. J. (2013). Examination of the equivalence of self-report survey-based paper-and-pencil and internet data collection methods. Psychological Methods, 18(1), 53–70. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031607
68.
WooT., HoR., TangA., & TamaW. (2020). Global prevalence of burnout symptoms among nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 123, 9–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.12.015
69.
World Health Organization. (2019). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). https://icd.who.int/
70.
World Medical Association. (2013). Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. Journal of the American Medical Association, 310(20), 2191–2194. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.281053
