An investigation into the relationship between multisystem coping resources and burnout

Stress and burnout continue to be important variables related to the personal and professional well being of workers. The specific role and the effects they play cannot be underestimated. Consequences of burnout have been well documented. What has not been well documented is the complexity of its development in relation to a multi-domain level that includes family, and couple systems, as well as the individual and work systems. This study's investigation provided a systemic examination of the theoretical relationship between multiple system coping resources and worker burnout as operationalized by the Multisystem Assessment of Stress and Health (MASH) Model and Maslach's Burnout Model. Participants in this study were assessed for burnout and for coping resources, at four levels of life (personal, work, couple, and family). Relationships between the couple and family systems and their contribution to worker burnout were determined. In general, this study supported the validity of utilizing a Multisystem (systemic) view in examining worker burnout. Numerous significant relationships were found for different system coping resources and Emotional Exhaustion. Significant relationships between system stress levels and Emotional Exhaustion also offered support for the value of a systemic approach that included the couple and family domains.