Relationship between Empathy and Burnout Levels of Professionals Working in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between empathy and burnout levels of professionals working in special education and rehabilitation centers. Method: The sample of this descriptive-correlational study included 120 employees who agreed to participate in the study and worked in three special education and rehabilitation centers located in a city center in Northern Turkey in the 2022–2023 academic year. Data were collected using an employee identification form, the Emphatic Tendency Scale (ETS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Results: Empathic tendency increased the level of emotional exhaustion (ß =.558) and depersonalization (ß =.516) but decreased the level of sense of personal accomplishment (ß=-0.655). There was a significant positive moderate relationship between the ETS score and the MBI emotional exhaustion and depersonalization subdimension scores and a significant negative moderate relationship between the feeling of personal accomplishment subdimension of MBI. Conclusion: High empathy in employees can improve the quality of support provided to students with special needs, but it can also bring challenges such as emotional exhaustion and decreased personal accomplishment.