Comparing Burnout Between Licensed Professional Clinicians and Trainees: A Replication and Extension of Warlick et al. (2021) During the COVID-19 Alpha Wave

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-3-2025

School

Psychology

Abstract

Clinician burnout is a professional issue associated with low client satisfaction, poor treatment outcomes, and low provider well-being. Using job demands–resources theory as a lens, this cross-sectional study extends Warlick et al.’s (2021) study comparing burnout between professional clinicians and trainees by assessing burnout levels during the COVID-19 Alpha wave. Participants (n = 251 after data integrity checks; 141 trainees, 110 licensed) identified as providing mental health services to at least one client weekly in the United States at accredited academic programs, predoctoral, or postdoctoral training sites. We used the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and the Mini-Z to measure burnout rates. Psychometric analyses indicated the CBI total score and subscales met reliability thresholds. Multivariate analysis of variance and t tests failed to detect significant differences in burnout between both groups across burnout total scores and subscales. Between 19% (CBI) to 38% (Mini-Z) of our sample met general burnout thresholds. Clinicians were most likely to endorse personal burnout (PB; 45%) as opposed to work-related burnout (WB; 28.7%) or client-related burnout (CB; 12%). Considering the consequences of burnout and the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing assessment of burnout rates, work demands, and work resources is necessary to support clinicians, clients, and organizations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)

Publication Title

Training and Education in Professional Psychology

Volume

19

Issue

2

First Page

97

Last Page

105

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