Samara Berry

Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Copyright Status, No Creative Commons License

All Rights Reserved

Degree Name

Master of Science in Music Therapy

Department

Music Therapy

First Advisor

Dr. Heather Wagner

Abstract

The purpose of this survey study was to explore professional burnout in music therapists and factors that may increase the likelihood of experiencing it. The Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey (1981) and researcher-developed questions were used to test for burnout and variables among board-certified music therapists, such as demographics, longevity, and the music therapists’ ideologies. The list of board-certified music therapists from 2017 was randomized and the survey was distributed to 1635 potential participants. Out of the 200 responses that were received, 199 agreed to participate in this study. On average, participants scored an average degree of burnout in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and a low degree of burnout in personal accomplishment. Overall, significance was found between the music therapist’s methodology and the emotional exhaustion subscale. Results of this study also indicated that self-care and therapeutic approach alignment are factors that may lead to burnout.

Related Pillar(s)

Study

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