Is It Time to Address Burnout in the Military? Initial Psychometric Validation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Among Tunisian Military Personnel (A-MBI-MP)

The military's high-pressure environment can lead to burnout syndrome, characterized by emotional fatigue, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment. Validating a culturally appropriate tool for assessing burnout among military personnel is crucial for early detection and intervention. This study assessed the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and its validity among Tunisian military personnel. A validation study was conducted among 520 Tunisian military personnel (mean age = 36 ± 9.3 years; male (n = 486) and female (n = 34)), including commandos, pilots, and divers. The Arabic version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory MBI-HSS was administered, including participants' sociodemographic characteristics. The exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were performed to identify the factor structure, with assessments of the internal consistency of the model. The factor analysis confirmed the three-factor model of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment consistent with the original MBI. The A-MBI-MP demonstrated strong internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha values exceeding 0.8 for all subscales. The test-retest reliability was also excellent, confirming the stability of the instrument. The CFA validated the three-factor structure of the A-MBI-MP. The fit indices demonstrated an acceptable model fit: Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.949, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.943, and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.0742 (95% CI: 0.068-0.0797). These results validate the reliability of the A-MBI-MP in assessing burnout in the military context. The Arabic version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (A-MBI-MP) is a valid and reliable tool for assessing burnout among Tunisian military personnel. The validated instrument can be used to offer early treatments and to promote the mental health of military personnel in high-stress situations.