The Relationship Between Burnout, Resilience, and Locus of Control in Occupational Therapy

Credentials Display

Tabitha Gibbs EdD, OT, MSOT; Miguel Garcia, PT, DPT, Ed.D.; Karen Menard, Ph.D, OT;; William M. O'Bannon, Jr., PhD

Abstract

Background: Burnout in occupational therapists is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished accomplishment.

Method: This non-experimental correlational study, guided by Rotter’s Locus of Control Theory and the attribution theory of motivation, analyzed the relationship between resilience, locus of control, and burnout among occupational therapists using the Brief Resilience Scale, the Internal-External Locus of Control Short Scale -4, and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. The sample of 83 participants was obtained via questionnaires sent to a convenience sample of occupational therapists with at least 6 months of work experience in any practice setting.

Results: The results of this study indicated 38.6% of the sample reported burnout, resilience serves as a protective factor against burnout, and an internal locus of control positively correlates with resilience. The study found that fostering resilience in the workplace could reduce burnout, and enhancing the internal locus of control could improve resilience.

Conclusion: These findings validate resilience-focused interventions and encourage a shift in workplace practices to enhance employee autonomy and psychological well-being. Future research should focus on interventions to improve resilience and internal locus of control in the workplace, which could ultimately contribute to healthier, more sustainable work environments and less burnout in occupational therapists.

Recommended Citation

Gibbs, T., Garcia, M., Menard, K., & O'Bannon, W. (2026). The Relationship Between Burnout, Resilience, and Locus of Control in Occupational Therapy. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 14(2), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2486