A Systematic Review of Burnout Among Staff Working in Services for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Background: The psychological wellbeing of staff who provide support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is one of the crucial factors in determining the quality of provision offered. An understanding of the current status and influencing variables of staff psychological wellbeing is considered to be vital in this respect.

Method: A systematic review of all studies involving staff working with people with intellectual disabilities using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Version (MBI‐HS) published from May 2004 up to and including April 2024 was conducted.

Results: Twenty‐one studies were found which allowed updated norms and comparisons with previously published norms (Skirrow and Hatton, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 2007; 20(2):131–144) and normative scores from staff working in human services. Scores indicated significantly lower levels of Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalisation and less Personal Accomplishment compared to norms for people working in human services. The positive trend in improving burnout scores previously reported by Skirrow and Hatton (Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 2007; 20(2):131–144) had not continued.

Conclusions: A ‘National Observatory’ approach is recommended to enable regular monitoring of staff wellbeing and exploration of influencing variables.