This study examines how working with extremely poor clients contributes to social
worker burnout. Previous research has shown that the emotional labour social workers
perform on a daily basis may have negative consequences such as job stress and burnout.
Studies have also reported that clients’ poverty may increase these consequences through
several mechanisms. Based on these findings, we hypothesised that social workers working
with extremely poor clients will be more likely to burn out than those working with
less poor clients. Data from a survey of Hungarian social workers in child and family
welfare services were analysed using linear regression models. Burnout was measured
using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) distinguishing three dimensions of burnout:
emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and personal accomplishment. Results show
that working with extremely poor clients is not associated with higher emotional exhaustion
and higher depersonalisation, but it significantly decreases the perceived level of
personal accomplishment. This finding highlights the importance of addressing the
significant chronic stress experienced by those working with the extremely poor, which
exposes them to various mental and physical illnesses in the long term. The study
also discusses the methodological implications of our findings on the applicability
of the MBI.
