Modeling of burnout in psychotherapists and counselors based on perceived stress, self-efficacy, resilience, perceived social support and effort–reward imbalance

This study aimed to model burnout in psychotherapists and counselors based on perceived stress, self-efficacy, resilience, perceived social support, and effort–reward imbalance. A descriptive-correlational design was used, with structural equation modeling applied in a cross-sectional manner. The sample consisted of 226 psychotherapists and counselors from provincial centers across Iran, selected through convenience sampling. The instruments used included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), Schwarzer General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Zimet Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS), and Siegrist Effort–Reward Imbalance Scale (ERI). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and structural equation modeling. Results showed that self-efficacy and resilience significantly mediate the relationship between perceived stress and burnout. Additionally, perceived social support and effort–reward imbalance significantly moderated the stress-burnout relationship. The model showed acceptable fit (SRMR = 0.074). Findings suggest that reducing burnout in psychotherapists and counselors requires enhancing individual resources such as self-efficacy and resilience, expanding social support, and managing environmental factors like effort–reward imbalance.