Burnout Inventory (MBI)
Maslach Burnout Inventory interpretation guide: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment subscales. MBI-HSS/GS reference ranges and comparison with OLBI, CBI, and BAT. Maslach & Jackson (1981).
Complete burnout score interpretation for the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Three-dimensional model: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment. Maslach & Jackson (1981).
What is the Maslach Burnout Inventory?
The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is the most widely used and validated measure of burnout, developed by Christina Maslach and Susan Jackson (1981). It defines burnout across three interrelated dimensions: Emotional Exhaustion (feeling emotionally depleted), Depersonalization (detached, cynical attitudes toward recipients of one's work), and reduced Personal Accomplishment (feelings of incompetence and lack of achievement).
The original MBI-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was designed for healthcare workers, teachers, and human services professionals. The MBI-General Survey (MBI-GS) was later developed for occupations outside direct service work. Burnout is indicated by high EE, high DP, and low PA. Scores are not summed into a total, each subscale is interpreted independently.
The MBI is published by Mindgarden and requires purchase for use. The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and newer Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) offer alternatives for research settings requiring open access measures.
MBI Score Interpreter
Enter your MBI-HSS subscale scores to interpret burnout severity across the three dimensions.
MBI copyright Mindgarden. Purchase required for use. This interpreter does not replace clinical or occupational health assessment.
MBI-HSS Score Interpretation Reference
Maslach, Jackson & Leiter (1996). Subscales are interpreted independently, there is no single "total burnout score." Burnout profile = High EE + High DP + Low PA.
Burnout Inventory Comparison
Four validated burnout scales with different licensing, structure, and use cases.
Staff Wellbeing Monitoring in HiBoop
Track burnout alongside PHQ-9, GAD-7, and compassion fatigue measures, integrated wellbeing monitoring for clinical teams, healthcare workers, and behavioural health staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MBI give a single overall burnout score?
No. The MBI measures three independent dimensions — Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment — each scored separately. There is no validated total burnout score. Burnout is indicated by a profile of high Emotional Exhaustion, high Depersonalization, and low Personal Accomplishment considered together.
Is the MBI self-report or clinician-administered?
The MBI is a self-report questionnaire completed by the respondent without clinician involvement. Respondents rate the frequency of each statement on a 7-point scale (0 = never to 6 = every day). No training is required for administration, though interpretation in occupational health contexts is typically conducted by a qualified professional.
Can the MBI diagnose burnout as a medical condition?
No. The MBI measures occupational burnout dimensions; it does not diagnose a medical or psychiatric condition. Burnout is classified by the WHO as an occupational phenomenon rather than a medical disorder. High scores on the relevant subscales indicate elevated burnout, but a clinical interview and contextual assessment are needed before any determination of impairment or intervention.
What is the difference between the MBI-HSS and MBI-GS?
The MBI-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was designed for healthcare workers, social workers, teachers, and others in direct service roles; its Depersonalization subscale specifically references attitudes toward clients or patients. The MBI-General Survey (MBI-GS) was developed for workers in any occupation and replaces 'Depersonalization' with 'Cynicism' and 'Personal Accomplishment' with 'Professional Efficacy,' making it more appropriate for non-service settings.
References
- 1.Maslach C, Jackson SE. The measurement of experienced burnout. J Occup Behav. 1981;2(2):99-113.View source
- 2.Maslach C, Leiter MP. Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry. 2016;15(2):103-111.View source
- 3.Loera B, Converso D, Viotti S. Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) among Italian nurses: how many factors must a researcher consider? PLoS One. 2014;9(12):e114987.View source
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The Burnout Inventory (MBI) qualifies for reimbursement under these CPT codes (US).
Last reviewed: Jun 3, 2026
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