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Causes and Prevention of Burnout in Human Services

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Causes and Prevention of Burnout in Human Services
Causes and Prevention of Burnout in Human Service Staff Paper
J. Shan
Building Community in Organizations BSHS/462
University of Phoenix
Instructor Ursula Davis
November 8, 2010

Causes and Prevention of Burnout in Human Service Staff Paper
Burnout has an undesirable force on staff, staff efficiency and consequently on organizational success. Human service agencies cannot risk the loss of efficiency involved when an dynamic, passionate staff member burns out. This, burnout, can never be entirely barred since individuals, in addition to organizational, uniqueness influence vulnerability. Discussed here will be a Definition of burnout. Describing some of the individual, cultural, organizational, supervisory, and social support factors that cause burnout. Explanation of various individual, job role, and organizational methods to prevent burnout. Followed with a brief self-examination of work-related stressors and reactions to combat them. Lastly, what Human Service managers should practice to combat staff burnout.

Burnout Burnout is the condition of bodily, expressive, and psychological fatigue resultant of a connection or attachment with individuals in psychologically demanding circumstances. Burnout was initially acknowledged in human service organizations.

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In the most popular conceptualization, it has three major factors:
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• emotional exhaustion,
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• a feeling of low personal accomplishment with clients, and
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• a sense of depersonalization (a dehumanizing, uncaring attitude toward
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clients).
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References: Help-Guide.org. (2010). Stress at Work. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/work_stress_management.htm University of Phoenix. (2010). Management of Human Service Programs. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, BSHS462 website

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