"Burnout" in group home houseparents

Forty-seven houseparents of group homes for emotionally disturbed adolescents completed questionnaires measuring "burnout." There were profound differences between male and female subjects; for men, higher burnout scores were significantly correlated with higher salaries, screening prospective residents, and having no decision-making power in accepting residents. Women burned out more if they screened prospective residents or ran group meetings with residents. Significant relationships were also found between burnout and where time off was spent and support of friends, staff, and the organization. The author suggests that group home programs should differentially allocate tasks to men and women and should work with men on overly high expectations.