Psychological and Organizational Factors Related to Burnout in Athletic Trainers

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the relationship of five selected psychological and organizational variables to burnout in athletic trainers. Trainers (n = 332) from the Western United States completed self-report measures of burnout, role conflict, role ambiguity, locus of control and demographic variables. Regression, and follow-up canonical correlation analyses, indicated that role conflict, role ambiguity, locus of control, number of hours in direct contact with the athletes, and number of athletes in the athletic trainer's direct care were significantly related to total burnout, frequency and intensity of burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment subscales. Role conflict explained the most variance on all burnout scores except personal accomplishment, which was best explained by role ambiguity. Overall, however, absolute levels of burnout were found to be low. Theoretical implications of this study include identifying variables which could be included in other studies. Practical implications include how to reduce role conflict and role ambiguity, and increase control over decision making.