Burnout and empathy in mental health professionals working in in correctional settings, community settings, and with sex offenders

Previous research has found higher rates of burnout among mental health professionals (MHPs) working in correctional settings and among those treating sex offenders, but it is not clear whether the setting or the client type is associated with greater burnout. Burnout has been linked with decreased empathy among healthcare providers, but this relationship has not been explored in MHPs. The present study explored differences in burnout and empathy among 219 MHPs working in correctional or community settings and among those primarily treating sex offenders versus other types of clients in the United States. Those working in correctional settings had higher levels of burnout than those working in community settings, but no differences in burnout were found for those treating sex offenders versus other types of clients, regardless of setting. No differences in empathy were found across the four groups, but self-reported empathy was inversely associated with levels of burnout. This research suggests that correctional settings may be more likely to result in burnout as compared to working with offender populations more generally. Implications for training professionals who desire to work in correctional settings are discussed. Interventions for preventing and reducing burnout are also discussed.