Forty-seven houseparents of group homes for emotionally disturbed
adolescents completed questionnaires measuring "burnout." There were
profound differences between male and female subjects; for men, higher
burnout scores were significantly correlated with higher salaries,
screening prospective residents, and having no decision-making power in
accepting residents. Women burned out more if they screened prospective
residents or ran group meetings with residents. Significant relationships
were also found between burnout and where time off was spent and support of
friends, staff, and the organization. The author suggests that group home
programs should differentially allocate tasks to men and women and should
work with men on overly high expectations.
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