Professional burnout of personnel working in summer camps of people with disabilities

Introduction: Professional burnout constitutes a syndrome of physical and mental exhaustion occurring in working environment with symptoms that are present after frequent and long-term exposure in difficult working conditions especially in special education settings where a higher burnout in noticed due to tne nature of the profession. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine professional burnout of working personnel in summer camps for people with disabilities. Materials – Methods: The sample consisted of 35 participants (11 men and 25 women) all camp personnel escorting people with disabilities in summer camps. Each participant completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1986) comprised of 22 items that assess the variables of exhaustion, accomplishment and depersonalization. Omega total reliability analysis revealed an internal consistency ranging from good (ω total= .72) to high (ω total = .91) and a positive interaction between all factors. Independent samples t-test revealed differences personal accomplishment (t = -1.9 , df = 33, p = 0.32) και depersonalization t = -2.59 , df = 33, p = .014) according to participation in physical activity during the summer camp period. ANOVA analysis showed statistically significant differences in depersonalization (F (3, 33) = 2.81, p = .043, η2 =.076 ), exhaustion (F (3, 33) = .335, p = .032, η2 =.084 ) , and personal accomplishment (F (3, 33) = 4.67, p = .008, η2 =.090 ) in relation to work satisfaction and type of disability. Conclusions: Professional burnout of personnel working in summer camps for people with disabilities appears high due to many hours and high working load that is affected by the nature of disability, participation of personnel in physical activities and their satisfaction derived from primary profession other than summer camp work.