Burnout: The Cost of Caring

by Christina Maslach

This reprint of the pioneering work of Christina Maslach offers new ideas and fresh perspectives on understanding burnout. Illustrated with numerous first-hand accounts and examples of burnout, the book explains what causes the feeling of emotional exhaustion, the sense of indifference to other people's problems, and the formation of the belief in one's inability to help and relate to others. This insightful guide is written for everyone who has extensive contact with other people in his or her work and personal life, and it will help show people how to beat burnout.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Business

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1982

Reviews

[Angel T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older book but it has some great resources and really explains the different facets of burnout. I used this book as part of my research for a Masters thesis. I found it to be very insightful and it connected to much of the other research. I came across this book because so many of the other burnout articles and studies used this as their main means of measurement.

Overall, well written.

[Mrs C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important book. This author keeps getting mentioned alongside Herbert Freudenberger. This is important reading material for those who want to know more about burnout. Very accessible.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read on this topic.

I am a very picky reader if it's below 4 stars on Goodreads I don't read it. That's why when I was recommended this classic I was shocked to see it was rated 3.5.

That is criminal, this book was one of the best laid out books about the causes and management of burnout I've ever read.

Even though the book is in the realm of healthcare providers it is universally applicable.

It goes over cause, effect, and most importantly useful practical coping mechanisms. It provides a realistically pragmatic view, which in many ways, may be why the book might not have higher ratings. As someone who has dealt with burnout it's frank and to the point.

If you're looking for a fluff piece and something more self help this isn't for you. If you've been burned out and want to make sure you're getting the most effective and proven advice on how to effectively deal with it and prevent it this is gold.

[Robert Bogue · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been many years now since I first experienced burnout – and since I have written about it. I was not – and am not – in the kind of professions that Christina Maslach focuses on in her book Burnout: The Cost of Caring, but I experienced burnout just the same. My works were Tips for Identifying Burnout in Yourself and Your Staff (June 23, 2003) and Breaking Out of Burnout Mode at Work (June 30, 2003). They were part of a weekly column I was writing at the time. I expressed a general sense of what burnout is and some useful tips for getting out of it, but I didn’t have the clarity on the topic that I now have. Unfortunately, Burnout: The Cost of Caring doesn’t seem to offer any more clarity than my articles so many years ago. However, there some nuggets to be gained.

Click here to read the full review

[Sara Stefanoni · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Letto per la tesi)

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am getting really interested in this topic especially as it applies to non-profit and government employees. This apparently was the first comprehensive book on the subject, or at least the most famous one--it definitely lays out the problems but is weaker on the solutions. That makes sense since the problems were not usually identified or openly discussed when the book was first published (they still aren't). To me it was great groundwork for work remaining to do.

[Esme · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad. It tells me everything I already knew from experience. However, I suspect that, for academic purposes, this is an important book that has opened the academic dialog about emotions in life.

[Susan Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A staple for therapists and people in the caring professions.