The Costs of Caring: Prevalence and Associated Factors of Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Compassion Satisfaction Among Mental Health Professionals in Greece

Abstract

Burnout and work-related stress are extensively studied among mental health professionals (MHPs) in countries around the world, but there is a paucity of research emanating from Greece’s hybrid healthcare system. In Greece, MHPs may encounter unique challenges with economic obstacles and in putting ongoing community-oriented mental healthcare policies into practice. This study aims, first, to assess the prevalence of burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction among Greek MHPs; and second, to examine the sociodemographic and work-related factors influencing these dimensions of professional quality of life. A total of 287 Greek MHPs (25.4% male, 74.6% female; M = 39.85 years, SD = 9.52) completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale-5 (ProQOL-5). Sociodemographic and occupational data were also collected. Findings revealed that 11.8% of participants reported high emotional exhaustion, 19.9% high depersonalization, and 35.9% a high risk of reduced personal accomplishment. Almost half of the participants (48.8%) reported high levels of compassion satisfaction, suggesting that many MHPs continue to find fulfillment in their work. Notably, none of the participants reported high levels of compassion fatigue. Sociodemographic characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity, and marital status, as well as work-related factors, including employment sector, specialization, and years of experience, were related to MHPs’ professional quality of life. These results highlight the need for targeted strategies to address burnout and promote positive professional experiences among MHPs in Greece. Interventions should support well-being and enhance the rewarding aspects of mental health practice.

1. Introduction

Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) across various disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, social work, and nursing, who work with individuals with severe mental illnesses are at a higher risk of negative mental health outcomes. These can include symptoms of posttraumatic stress (Finklestein et al., 2015; Ray et al., 2013; Tirgari et al., 2018), anxiety and depression (Lin et al., 2010; Tsaras et al., 2018), and sleep disturbances (Lu et al., 2021). Furthermore, MHPs frequently experience adverse work-related outcomes, such as diminished professional quality of life (J. Singh et al., 2020) and high levels of burnout (Morse et al., 2012).

1.1. Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Compassion Satisfaction in MHPs

Burnout was first introduced by Freudenberger (1974) to describe the stress resulting from exhaustion, disconnection, and self-doubt associated with emotionally demanding work, particularly in the helping professions. Maslach (1976) expanded the construct by emphasizing the role of exhaustion and depersonalization, particularly among healthcare workers. Later, Maslach and Leiter (1997) conceptualized burnout as a gradual erosion of values, dignity, spirit, and will, leading to a downward spiral that is difficult to reverse. Maslach and Jackson (1981) identified three core psychological dimensions of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment. Emotional exhaustion refers to the depletion of physical, cognitive, and emotional energy; depersonalization involves detachment, self-blame, and a cynical attitude toward work and others; and diminished personal accomplishment reflects feelings of incompetence, dissatisfaction, and professional inadequacy. Burnout significantly impacts healthcare professionals across various fields, leading to emotional exhaustion, reduced empathy, and impaired decision-making. For instance, nurses may experience higher turnover rates and decreased patient care quality (Shah et al., 2021; Sayrafi et al., 2024), while physicians may struggle with reduced professional satisfaction, ultimately affecting patient outcomes and increasing healthcare costs (Hodkinson et al., 2022).

The Job Demands-Resources Model provides a useful framework for understanding burnout in MHPs. According to this model, burnout arises from an imbalance between the demands placed on MHPs—such as emotional workload and exposure to client trauma—and the resources available to them, including social support and autonomy in their role. When job demands exceed the resources available to cope with these demands, MHPs are more likely to experience burnout, which in turn can lead to a reduction in their professional quality of life. Conversely, when sufficient resources are available, they can help buffer the effects of these demands, thus reducing burnout and enhancing job satisfaction (Demerouti et al., 2001). In addition, the Stress Process Model further expands on this by focusing on how various stressors—such as role conflict, work pressure, and job overload—interact with personal resources such as coping strategies and social support to influence outcomes such as burnout and job satisfaction. This model emphasizes the critical role of both individual and systemic resources in shaping how MHPs cope with stress and, ultimately, how this affects their mental health and professional satisfaction (Pearlin et al., 1981). Given the emotionally demanding nature of their work, MHPs are particularly vulnerable to both burnout and compassion fatigue. However, factors such as work experience, supervisory support, and professional training may serve as protective factors, helping to mitigate these risks and support their well-being.

Burnout is related to Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL), a multidimensional construct that measures the well-being of individuals in caregiving or helping professions, considering how their work affects both personal and professional aspects of life (Stamm, 2010). This term encompasses both the positive and negative emotional experiences that an individual encounters in their role as a helper. ProQOL is composed of two main emotional dimensions: compassion satisfaction, which reflects the positive feelings of fulfillment and joy derived from helping others, and compassion fatigue, the negative counterpart. Compassion fatigue consists of two components: the first relates to the emotional toll of burnout, which includes feelings such as anger, exhaustion, depression, and frustration. The second component, secondary traumatic stress, arises from exposure to trauma-related work, leading to negative emotions such as fear and distress, triggered by the suffering of those the helper serves (Stamm, 2010). Together, these elements form the complex emotional landscape of ProQOL, influencing both the well-being and effectiveness of professionals in caregiving roles. These factors are linked to positive affect and life satisfaction, as well as the severity of depression symptoms (Samios, 2018). Additionally, they influence the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms, highlighting their role in both the protective and risk aspects of MHPs’ mental health (Lauvrud et al., 2009; Ray et al., 2013; Tirgari et al., 2018).

1.2. Prevalence of Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Compassion Satisfaction in MHPs

The prevalence of burnout among MHPs ranges from 21% to 67% (Morse et al., 2012). A recent systematic review and meta-analysis by O’Connor et al. (2018) confirmed these high rates, reporting that 40% of MHPs experience emotional exhaustion, 22% suffer from depersonalization, and 19% report low levels of personal accomplishment. Burnout remains a significant concern for professionals delivering psychological interventions, with emotional exhaustion being the most reported dimension. It is influenced by job-related and personal factors, as well as available resources (McCormack et al., 2018). Research on psychotherapists’ experiences of burnout has revealed prevalence rates exceeding 50% (Simionato & Simpson, 2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of burnout among psychiatrists revealed a pooled prevalence of 43.5% for high emotional exhaustion, 28.2% for high depersonalization, and 32.4% for low personal accomplishment (Bykov et al., 2022). Similarly, a systematic review and meta-analysis on burnout among social workers in social services found a pooled prevalence of 50% for emotional exhaustion, 45% for depersonalization, and 39% for lack of personal accomplishment (Giménez-Bertomeu et al., 2024).

A systematic review on MHPs’ experiences of burnout by J. Singh et al. (2020) found that 19.8% experience some degree of compassion fatigue. Recent studies report that between 10% and 74.1% of MHPs are affected by this work-related dysphoria (Laverdière et al., 2019; Xie et al., 2021). Compassion fatigue can have a wide range of negative effects on caregivers’ health and well-being, impacting behavioral, cognitive, physical, and emotional aspects (Bride et al., 2007; Figley, 2002). Additionally, higher levels of compassion fatigue are consistently linked to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in MHPs (Lauvrud et al., 2009; Ray et al., 2013; Tirgari et al., 2018).

1.3. Sociodemographic and Work-Related Determinants of Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Compassion Satisfaction in MHPs

MHPs’ sociodemographic characteristics play a significant role in their professional quality of life and burnout levels. Gender, for instance, has been linked to varying experiences of compassion fatigue and satisfaction, with female MHPs experiencing higher compassion fatigue (Rossi et al., 2012) but also reporting higher compassion satisfaction (Salloum et al., 2015). However, the association between gender and burnout in MHPs is inconsistent (O’Connor et al., 2018). Age also plays a role, with older MHPs generally reporting higher levels of compassion fatigue (Salloum et al., 2015), compassion satisfaction (Thomas, 2013), and personal accomplishment (Blau et al., 2013; Hamaideh, 2011; Rupert & Kent, 2007), as well as less depersonalization and emotional exhaustion (Bowers et al., 2009; Johnson et al., 2012).

In addition, work-related factors significantly affect MHPs’ professional quality of life and burnout. The association between years of professional experience and quality of life is complex. While some studies suggest that longer experience is associated with higher compassion satisfaction (Thomas, 2013), others show a negative relationship (Salloum et al., 2015). O’Connor et al. (2018) found no consistent link between experience and burnout. Additionally, factors such as professional background (Johnson et al., 2012; Lasalvia et al., 2009; Nelson et al., 2008) and work setting (Craig & Sprang, 2010; Johnson et al., 2012; Nelson et al., 2008) also influence burnout, compassion fatigue, and work-related satisfaction.

1.4. Challenges and Opportunities in the Greek Mental Healthcare System

The gradual transition from institutional to community-based mental healthcare, supported by initiatives such as the Psychargos program (began in 2000), has led to significant improvements, such as the establishment of supported living facilities, community mental health centers, and employment opportunities, all designed to enhance access to care and support individuals with mental health needs (G. N. Christodoulou et al., 2012). Nevertheless, challenges such as the rising demand for mental health services, coupled with limited resources and staffing shortages, have placed considerable strain on MHPs and brought about a mental healthcare gap (Triliva et al., 2020). Moreover, the ongoing opportunities for improvement have also presented challenges regarding how policy recommendations can be best implemented across the country and how mental health services can be integrated with the hybrid primary healthcare and social care services (Anargyros et al., 2021). Regarding disparities in service provision based on geographic location, rural areas have always lagged due to staffing and resources, and mobile mental health units cannot accommodate the needs of special populations, such as the elderly, who inhabit them (Peritogiannis & Samakouri, 2023). According to MHPs from six countries in Europe (including Greece), the barriers in care provision include hindrances in the availability of care in some communities, the accessibility of comprehensive services, and difficulties in creating a “chain of care” that is congruent with the diverse needs of the populations served (Triliva et al., 2020).

Furthermore, the socioeconomic difficulties, exacerbated by the long-standing financial crisis, have escalated stress levels among MHPs (Triliva et al., 2013; Kyriakidou & Triliva, 2018), contributing to higher rates of burnout. The psychosocial impacts of these challenges have been highlighted by research, with Mangoulia et al. (2015) documenting that 49.4% of psychiatric nurses were at high risk for burnout and 44.8% for compassion fatigue. Similarly, Konstantinou et al. (2018) reported that 53.8% of mental health nurses experienced high emotional exhaustion, and 24.4% exhibited significant depersonalization. In a study of 180 MHPs working in a substance abuse treatment facility, Rachiotis et al. (2020) observed even higher rates, including 75% high emotional exhaustion, 71% high depersonalization, and 75% low personal accomplishment. N. G. Christodoulou and Kollias (2019), in their study focusing on psychiatrists, conclude that socioeconomic adversities have affected service users, psychiatrists, and service provision.

1.5. The Present Study

The novelty of this study lies in its examination of burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction among MHPs in Greece, a context that remains underexplored in the existing literature. As previously documented, MHPs are at elevated risk for burnout and a decline in professional quality of life. Gaining insights into both the positive and negative facets of assisting individuals dealing with mental health challenges is crucial, as it can improve the quality of services provided by MHPs and contribute to enhancing their own mental well-being. This issue is particularly pertinent in Greece, where policy reforms are still in the process of being implemented, and their impacts on both MHPs and service users have not been systematically assessed (Anargyros et al., 2021). While the global body of research has increasingly explored compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction, significant gaps persist in understanding how these factors manifest and impact MHPs, particularly within the context of ongoing healthcare reforms in Greece. There is a paucity of literature specifically addressing burnout among MHPs in Greece, making this study a critical contribution to the field.

The study aims to estimate the prevalence of burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction among MHPs in Greece, while also investigating the socio-demographic and work-related determinants of these factors. By addressing these gaps, the study offers novel insights into how systemic healthcare reforms influence the mental well-being of MHPs and the quality of care they provide, enhancing our understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare workers in a rapidly evolving healthcare system.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Participants

This quantitative study used a cross-sectional survey approach for data collection. The sample size was determined based on medium expected effect sizes following Cohen’s criteria (Cohen, 1988), aiming for a power of 0.80 and a confidence level of 0.05. The study used a convenience sampling method, where participants were selected based on their availability and willingness to participate. MHPs were recruited through professional networks, online platforms, and in-person outreach at mental health institutions across Greece. The final sample consisted of 287 participants, with a balance of n = 152 (53.0%) from the online sample and n = 135 (47.0%) from the offline sample. This approach ensured a diverse representation of participants from both online and offline channels. The response rate was 87.0%. The inclusion criteria comprised individuals aged between 22 and 67 years, employed as MHPs (e.g., psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.) for over a year in the public or private sector, who have a good understanding of the Greek language. Volunteers and administrative personnel were excluded from participation. Data were collected between October 2019 and April 2020.

2.2. Measures

2.2.1. Sociodemographic and Professional Characteristics

Participants were first asked to complete a brief questionnaire gathering information about sociodemographic and professional characteristics. Specifically, the questionnaire collected data on age (in years), gender (male vs. female), ethnicity (Greek vs. other), educational attainment (university degree vs. non-university degree), marital status (unmarried, married, divorced/widowed), place of origin (urban, semi-urban, rural), and residence (urban, semi-urban, rural). Place of origin was categorized into three groups based on population density and infrastructure: Urban (areas with a population greater than 1 million and extensive services), semi-urban (towns with populations between 50,000 and 1 million, characterized by a mix of urban and rural features), and rural (areas with fewer than 50,000 people, typically lacking comprehensive infrastructure). Likewise, residence was classified into urban, semi-urban, and rural categories to assess the impact of the current living environment on participants’ mental health outcomes. Furthermore, work-related characteristics were also collected, including professional group (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, nurse, other), years of work experience (up to 5 years, 5–10 years, >10 years), sector (public vs. private), and financial status. Participants were asked to report their monthly income, which was, firstly, categorized into four groups: low income (<€500 euros), medium income (€501–€1000 euros), high income (€1001–€1500 euros), and very high income (>€1500 euros). Financial status was further categorized into two groups, using the cut-off of €1000 as a rounding of the average salary in Greece at the time the study started (€1046) (Hellenic Republic Ministry of Labour and Social Security, 2025): €1000 or less per month (indicating lower financial status, where participants may experience financial constraints), and more than €1000 per month (indicating higher financial status, where participants are more likely to have financial stability and flexibility).

2.2.2. Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI; Maslach & Jackson, 1986)

Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI; Maslach & Jackson, 1986). The MBI measures three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and feelings of diminished personal accomplishment. The MBI has been used in numerous studies and is widely accepted for measuring occupational burnout. The instrument has a 7-level frequency rating from 0 to 6 (0 = never, 6 = always), and the results are tabulated using Maslach’s catalog, which encompasses the three burnout subscales (Maslach, 2003). High scores on the subscales of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and low scores in the subscale of personal accomplishment indicate high levels of burnout. The questionnaire has been culturally adapted, including being translated and validated in a Greek sample by Anagnostopoulos and Papadatou (1992). Cut-off values for the three dimensions of burnout have been proposed for the Greek population by Anagnostopoulos and Papadatou (1992) as follows: emotional exhaustion: low ≤ 20, moderate 21–30, and high ≥ 31; depersonalization: low < 5, moderate 6–10, and high > 11; and personal accomplishment: low ≤ 35, moderate 36–41, and high ≥ 42. The psychometric properties of the Greek version of MBI demonstrated good reliability. Cronbach’s α coefficient for each dimension was as follows: 0.84 for Emotional Exhaustion, 0.81 for Depersonalization, and 0.83 for Personal Accomplishment.

2.2.3. Professional Quality of Life Scale-5 (ProQOL-5; Stamm, 2010)

The Professional Quality of Life Scale-5 (ProQOL-5; Stamm, 2010) is a 30-item self-report instrument designed to assess compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue, with the latter construct being broken down to burnout and secondary traumatic stress. The scale includes three subscales: (i) Compassion satisfaction (pleasure someone derives from being able to do their work well); (ii) Burnout (exhaustion, frustration, anger and depression related to work); and (iii) Secondary traumatic stress (feeling fear in relation to work-related primary or secondary trauma). Each subscale consists of 10 items, with each item rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1  =  never, 2  =  rarely, 3  =  sometimes, 4  =  often, and 5  =  very often). Each item indicates how frequently a respondent has experienced symptoms within the last 30 days. The scale has been validated in several populations and demonstrated high reliability and validity for assessing ProQOL. The scoring of each subscale ranged from 5 to 50. A higher score on a subscale indicates a higher degree of the corresponding subfactor. The score of each subscale ranges from 10 to 50 and is classified into three levels, with 22 or less indicating a low level, 23 to 41 indicating an average level, and 42 or more indicating a high level. We used the Greek version of the ProQOL-5, which was translated and adapted by Stamm (2009). In the present study, we found good alpha reliability for the compassion satisfaction (a = 0.90), burnout (a = 0.78), and compassion fatigue (a = 0.76) subscales.

2.3. Procedure

Community MHPs from multiple regional units across Greece, including Attica, Central Macedonia, Thessaly, Peloponnese, and Crete, were invited to take part in the survey. Participation was facilitated through both in-person invitations and online advertisements, ensuring accessibility to a diverse group of staff from different geographic areas. In the first case, individuals were administered questionnaires in their workplace by trained research assistants. In the second case, participants could follow a link and take part in the survey online. In both cases, participants were completely informed about the purpose of the research and were reassured of the researchers’ ethical responsibility to adhere to the principle of anonymity and confidentiality. The researchers obtained permission from the administrative heads of the hospitals and community mental health centers in order to conduct this study. All participants completed the survey anonymously and provided written informed consent. Participants were informed about the purpose of the study, confidentiality and their rights, research procedures, and data processing. Participation was voluntary, and participants could terminate the process at any time. The survey took approximately 20 min to complete. The study was designed and conducted in accordance with the ethical standards delineated in the Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent revisions and was approved by the University of Crete’s Research Ethics Committee (88/18.04.2019).

2.4. Statistical Analyses

Continuous variables (i.e., age) were reported as mean ± standard deviation (SD), while categorical variables (i.e., gender, ethnicity, place of origin, residence, marital status, educational attainment, professional group, years of expertise, professional sector, and financial status) were presented as frequencies and percentages. The prevalence rate was estimated using established cutoff scores for the relevant condition (e.g., burnout, compassion fatigue), with individuals scoring above the cutoff classified as experiencing the condition and the proportion of those individuals in the sample calculated and expressed as a percentage. Bivariate associations between normally distributed continuous dependent variables (professional quality of life) and categorical independent variables (socio-demographic and professional characteristics) were analyzed using either Student’s t-test or Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The chi-square test was used to examine the association between categorical independent variables, such as gender, and categorical-dependent variables, such as specialization. Pearson’s r correlation coefficient was used to assess the strength of the association between continuous dependent and independent variables. Variables bearing a statistically significant association with the MBI and the ProQOL-5 in the univariate analyses were entered as predictors in multiple regression models. Separate multiple regression models were built using each subscale of the MBI and the ProQOL-5 as outcome variables. We created dummy variables for categorical predictors with more than two categories. For regression models including dummy variables, we used a data-driven approach in selecting the reference group. Specifically, the category that demonstrated the largest number of statistically significant differences from other categories in univariate analyses was used as the reference group to enable meaningful comparisons. Accordingly, different reference groups were used across models when appropriate. All hypothesis tests were conducted with a significance level of 0.05 and a two-sided alternative hypothesis. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics 26 software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA).

3. Results

3.1. Descriptive Characteristics

The sample consisted of 73 (25.4%) males and 214 (74.6%) females, aged 23–64 years (M = 39.85, SD = 9.52). Gender was not equally represented in the sample, and women were significantly more prevalent than men in all professional categories (χ² = 41.65, p < 0.001). More men and fewer women were represented by psychiatrists compared with other healthcare profession subgroups. Ninety-three percent of the participants had attained a medical degree or a bachelor’s degree, and 7.0% had a high school education and two years of vocational training. In terms of marital status, 48.8% were married, 42.2% were unmarried, and 9.0% were divorced or widowed. The sample comprised 98 (34.1%) psychologists, 56 (19.5%) psychiatrists, 43 (15.0%) social workers, 47 (16.4%) mental health nurses, and 43 (15.0%) other mental health professionals (i.e., occupational therapists, General Practitioners, counselors, etc.), while 62.4% worked in the public sector and 37.6% worked in the private sector. The majority of the participants (52.6%) had more than 10 years of work experience, while 31.4% had up to five years of work experience. Sample characteristics are summarized in

Table 1. Sociodemographic and work-related characteristics of participants (n = 287).

Socio-Demographic Characteristics	N	%	Work-Related Characteristics	N	%
Gender			Professional group
Male	73	25.4	Psychiatrist	56	19.5
Female	214	74.6	Psychologist	98	34.1
Ethnicity			Social worker	43	15.0
Greek	284	98.6	Nurse	47	16.4
Other	2	1.4	Other	43	15.0
Place of origin			Years of expertise
Urban	186	64.8	Up to 5 years	90	31.4
Semi-urban	54	18.8	5–10 years	46	16.0
Rural	47	16.4	>10 years	151	52.6
Residence			Professional sector
Urban	237	82.6	Public	179	62.4
Semi-urban	36	12.5	Private	108	37.6
Rural	14	4.9	Financial status
Marital status			Low (<€500)	14	4.9
Unmarried	121	42.2	Medium (€501–€1000)	116	40.4
Married	140	48.8	High (€1001–€1500)	118	41.1
Divorced/Widowed	26	9.0	Very high (>€1500)	39	13.6
Educational attainment
Non-university degree	20	7.0
University degree	267	93.0
	Mean	SD
Age (years)	39.85	9.52

.

3.2. Descriptive Indices and Intercorrelations Among the Study Variables

Table 2. Means, standard deviations, and intercorrelations between the study variables.

	Mean	SD	1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
1.  MBI Emotional exhaustion	16.66	10.22	1
2.  MBI Personal accomplishment	36.36	7.45	−0.28 *	1
3.  MBI Depersonalization	6.00	6.20	0.59 *	−0.33 *	1
4.  ProQOL Compassion satisfaction	40.49	6.38	−0.49 *	0.66 *	−0.46 *	1
5.  ProQOL Burnout	20.77	5.73	0.75 *	−0.52 *	0.66 *	−0.68 *	1
6.  ProQOL Secondary traumatic stress	18.88	5.02	0.49 *	−0.28 *	0.30 *	−0.31 *	0.53 *	1

Abbreviations: Maslach Burnout Inventory; ProQOL: Professional Quality of Life Scale. * p < 0.001.

displays the descriptive indices and intercorrelations of the study variables. The emotional exhaustion subscale of MBI had a mean score of 16.66 (SD = 10.22), while depersonalization had a mean score of 6.00 (SD = 6.20), and the reduced personal accomplishment subscale had a mean score of 36.36 (SD = 7.45). For the ProQOL scales, the mean scores for the dimensions of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress were 40.49 ± 6.38, 20.77 ± 5.73, and 18.88 ± 5.02, respectively.

Significant correlations were found between the MBI and ProQOL-5 subscale scores. Emotional exhaustion was negatively correlated with compassion satisfaction (r = −0.49, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with burnout (r = 0.75, p < 0.01) and secondary traumatic stress (r = 0.49, p < 0.01). Personal accomplishment was positively correlated with compassion satisfaction (r = 0.66, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with burnout (r = −0.52, p < 0.01) and secondary traumatic stress (r = −0.28, p < 0.01). Depersonalization was negatively correlated with compassion satisfaction (r = −0.46, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with burnout (r = 0.66, p < 0.01) and secondary traumatic stress (r = 0.30, p < 0.01).

3.3. Prevalence of Burnout and Dimensions of Professional Quality of Life Among Greek MHPs

Of the respondents, 11.8% reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, 19.9% scored high on depersonalization, and 35.9% were at high risk of reduced personal accomplishments. Furthermore, 10 participants (3.5%) experienced high levels of burnout in all three dimensions. Regarding professional quality of life, almost half of the participants (48.8%) reported high levels of compassion satisfaction, whereas none reported high levels of compassion fatigue, as indicated by high levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress (

Table 3. Prevalence rates of burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction.

Burnout Dimensions
Emotional Exhaustion				Depersonalization				Personal Accomplishments
Low	≤20	209	72.8	Low	<5	171	59.6	Low	≤35	103	35.9
Moderate	21–30	44	15.3	Moderate	6–10	59	20.6	Moderate	41–36	116	40.4
High	≥31	34	11.8	High	>11	57	19.9	High	≥42	68	23.7
Total		287	100	Total		287	100	Total		287	100
Professional Quality of Life Dimensions
Compassion Satisfaction				Compassion Fatigue
				Burnout				Secondary Traumatic Stress
Low	≤22	2	0.7	Low	≤22	188	65.5	Low	≤22	233	81.2
Average	23–41	145	50.5	Average	23–41	99	34.5	Average	23–41	54	18.8
High	≥42	140	48.8	High	≥42	0	0.0	High	≥42	0	0.0
Total		287	100	Total		287	100	Total		287	100

).

3.4. Sociodemographic and Work-Related Determinants of Burnout and Professional Quality of Life: Univariate Analysis

Table 4. Associations of sociodemographic and work-related characteristics with burnout dimensions and professional quality of life in MHPs.

	MBI			ProQOL-5
	Emotional Exhaustion	Depersonalization	Personal Accomplishment	Compassion Satisfaction	Burnout	Secondary Traumatic Stress
	Mean (SD)	Mean (SD)	Mean (SD)	Mean (SD)	Mean (SD)	Mean (SD)
Gender
Male	17.19 (9.98)	8.85 (7.85) **	35.78 (6.51)	39.29 (6.53)	21.68 (5.73)	18.32 (4.80)
Female	16.48 (10.31)	5.03 (5.20)	36.56 (7.81)	40.90 (6.29)	20.45 (5.71)	19.07 (5.08)
Place of origin
Urban	16.17 (10.09)	6.27 (6.22)	36.22 (6.79)	40.43 (6.42)	20.59 (5.72)	18.76 (5.16)
Semi-urban	18.43 (70.71)	6.28 (6.97)	34.17 (9.78)	39.80 (5.95)	21.96 (6.02)	19.04 (4.71)
Rural	16.55 (10.10)	4.64 (5.00)	39.45 (6.16) *	41.51 (6.70)	20.11 (5.35)	19.19 (4.87)
Residence
Urban	16.70 (10.14)	6.41 (6.41)	36.35 (7.69)	40.38 (6.41)	20.94 (5.64)	18.91 (5.02)
Semi-urban	16.97 (10.16)	3.89 (4.68)	35.97 (7.06)	40.33 (6.67)	20.19 (6.20)	18.67 (4.41)
Rural	15.21 (12.19)	4.64 (4.92)	37.50 (5.09)	42.64 (5.03)	19.36 (6.10)	19.00 (6.56)
Marital status
Unmarried	17.20 (9.28)	6.29 (6.00)	36.13 (6.96)	39.67(6.92)	21.03 (5.44)	18.78 (4.92)
Married	16.00 (10.88)	5.54 (5.88)	36.74 (6.79)	40.97 (5.93)	20.20 (5.66)	18.54 (4.75)
Divorced/widowed	17.69 (10.78)	7.19 (8.48)	35.38 (12.30)	41.69 (5.87)	22.58 (7.04)	21.19 (6.28) *
Education
Non-university degree	19.20 (14.60)	6.95 (6.90)	35.80 (6.93)	40.10 (7.09)	21.15 (6.85)	19.55 (5.39)
University degree	16.47 (9.82)	5.93 (6.15)	36.40 (7.54)	40.52 (6.34)	20.74 (5.65)	18.83 (4.99)
Sector
Public	17.22 (10.33)	6.61 (6.75) *	35.75 (8.03)	39.75 (6.24) *	21.47 (5.49) *	18.75 (4.75)
Private	15.73 (10.00)	5.00 (5.04)	37.36 (6.42)	41.71 (6.45)	19.59 (5.94)	19.09 (5.44)
Specialization
Psychiatrist	20.25 (9.83) *	10.82 (7.18) *	36.11 (7.11)	40.14 (6.11)	22.25 (5.15)	19.79 (4.58)
Psychologist	14.39 (8.10)	3.80 (4.20)	38.11 (6.15) *	41.12 (5.65)	19.70 (5.14)	17.95 (5.00)
Social worker	14.79 (9.21)	4.14 (4.05)	37.60 (6.68)	41.23 (5.39)	19.35 (5.07)	18.58 (4.85)
Nurse	18.19 (12.76)	6.87 (6.96) *	34.30 (7.33)	38.85 (7.45)	22.15 (6.98)	19.45 (5.58)
Other	17.35 (11.54)	5.67 (6.11)	33.70 (10.23)	40.53 (7.74)	21.16 (6.22)	19.51 (4.94)
Years of expertise
Up to 5 years	18.71 (10.00)	6.69 (6.17)	35.66 (7.33)	39.17 (6.49)	21.13 (4.94)	18.74 (4.45)
5–10 years	18.89 (12.11)	6.02 (5.84)	37.13 (7.06)	39.61 (6.72)	22.28 (7.04)	19.78 (6.22)
More than 10 years	14.75 (9.37) *	5.59 (6.33)	36.54 (7.73)	41.54 (6.06) *	20.09 (5.65)	18.69 (4.93)
Financial status
1000 € or less per month	16.55 (10.99)	5.13 (5.57) *	66.97 (6.77)	40.53 (6.77)	20.34 (5.90)	19.01 (5.36)
More than 1000 € per month	16.75 (9.56)	6.73 (6.61)	35.85 (8.03)	40.45 (6.06)	21.12 (5.58)	18.78 (4.72)
	r	r	r	r	r	r
Age (years)	−0.09	0.04	0.04	−0.05	−0.01	0.07

Abbreviations: MBI: Maslach Burnout Inventory; ProQOL: Professional Quality of Life Scale. Bold font indicates statistically significant differences at p < 0.05, based on t-test, ANOVA, or Pearson r correlation coefficient. ** p < 0.001, * p < 0.05.

presents the associations between sociodemographic and work-related determinants of burnout and professional quality of life, based on univariate analysis. Male MHPs (M = 8.85, SD = 7.85) reported higher levels of depersonalization than female MHPs (M = 5.03, SD = 5.20), t (285) = 3.87, p < 0.001. MHPs from rural areas (M = 39.45, SD = 6.16) had higher levels of personal accomplishment than MHPs who came from urban (M = 36.22, SD = 6.79) and semi-urban areas (M = 34.17, SD = 9.78), F (2, 284) = 6.57, p = 0.002. Divorced/widowed MHPs reported higher secondary traumatic stress than unmarried (M = 18.78, SD = 4.92) and married MHPs (M = 18.54, SD = 4.75), F (2, 284) = 3.14, p = 0.044.

MHPs working in the public sector had higher depersonalization levels (M = 6.61, SD = 6.75) than those working in the private sector (M = 5.00, SD = 5.04), t (285) = 2.29, p = 0.022. Moreover, higher burnout was also reported by public sector MHPs (M = 21.47, SD = 5.49) than by private sector MHPs (M = 19.59, SD = 5.94), t (285) = 2.72, p = 0.007. Furthermore, public sector MHPs reported lower compassion satisfaction (M = 39.75, SD = 6.24) than private sector MHPs (M = 41.71, SD = 6.45), t(285) = −2.54, p = 0.011. Regarding the MHPs’ specialization, psychiatrists (M = 20.59, SD = 9.83) reported higher emotional exhaustion than psychologists (M = 14.39, SD = 8.10), F (4, 280) = 3.75, p < 0.001. Moreover, psychiatrists (M = 10.82, SD = 7.18) reported higher depersonalization than psychologists (M = 3.80, SD = 4.20), social workers (M = 4.14, SD = 4.05), nurses (M = 6.87, SD = 6.96), and other professionals (M = 5.67, SD = 6.11) F (4, 282) = 15.37, p < 0.001. Psychologists (M = 38.11, SD = 6.15) had higher levels of personal accomplishment than other professionals (M = 33.70, SD = 10.23), F (4, 282) = 4.06, p = 0.003. MHPs with more than 10 years of experience (M = 14.75, SD = 9.37) experienced lower levels of emotional exhaustion than MHPs with up to five years of experience (M = 18.71, SD = 10.00), F (2, 284) = 5.71, p = 0.004. MHPs with more than 10 years of experience (M = 41.54, SD = 6.06) had higher compassion satisfaction than MHPs with up to five years of experience (M = 39.17, SD = 6.49), F (2, 284) = 4.53, p = 0.012. Finally, MHPs with a financial income greater than 1.000 euros (M = 6.73, SD = 6.61) reported higher levels of depersonalization than those earning less than 1.000 euros (M = 5.13, SD = 5.57), with a statistically significant difference, t (285) = −2.18, p = 0.030.

3.5. Sociodemographic and Work-Related Determinants of Burnout and Professional Quality of Life: Multivariate Analysis

The results of the regression analysis indicated that specialization and years of experience explained 10% of the variance in emotional exhaustion (R² = 0.10, F (6, 280) = 5.19, p < 0.001). Specifically, psychologists (β = −0.29, p < 0.001) and social workers (β = −0.19, p = 0.006) reported significantly lower emotional exhaustion than psychiatrists, while nurses (β = 0.17, p = 0.007) and other professionals (β = 0.14, p = 0.024) reported higher emotional exhaustion than psychologists. Moreover, MHPs with up to five years (β = 0.19, p < 0.001) and with 5–10 years of experience (β = 0.18, p = 0.003) reported higher emotional exhaustion than those with more than 10 years. Gender, sector, specialization, and financial status explained 19% of the variance in depersonalization (R² = 0.19, F (7, 279) = 9.60, p < 0.001). Psychologists (β = −0.47, p < 0.001), social workers (β = −0.33, p < 0.001), nurses (β = −0.21, p = 0.002), and other professionals (β = −0.25, p < 0.001) reported lower depersonalization than psychiatrist, and nurses reported higher depersonalization than psychologists (β = 0.15, p = 0.012). Female MHPs reported lower depersonalization than males (β = −0.12, p = 0.031). Specialization and place of origin explained 11% of the variance in personal accomplishment (R² = 0.11, F (6, 280) = 5.78, p < 0.001), with nurses (β = −0.22, p < 0.001) and other professionals (β = −0.22, p < 0.001) reporting lower personal accomplishment than psychologists and MHPs from urban (β = −0.24, p = 0.001) and semi-urban (β = −0.31, p < 0.001) areas reporting lower personal accomplishment compared to MHPs from rural areas. The sector of employment and years of experience explained 5% of the variance in compassion satisfaction (R² = 0.05, F (3, 283) = 5.65, p < 0.001, with MHPS working in the private sector reporting higher levels of compassion satisfaction than those in the public sector (β = 0.16, p = 0.006), and those with up to five years of experience (β = −0.18, p = 0.003) showing significantly lower compassion satisfaction compared to those with >10 years of experience. The sector of employment explained 2% of the variance in the ProQOL-5 burnout dimension (R² = 0.02, F (1, 285) = 7.42, p = 0.007, with professionals in the private sector reporting significantly lower burnout compared to those in the public sector (β = −0.15, p = 0.007). Finally, marital status explained 2% of the variance in secondary traumatic stress (R² = 0.02, F (2, 284) = 3.14, p = 0.044), with unmarried (β = −0.23, p = 0.026) and married/cohabiting (β = −0.26, p = 0.013) MHPs reporting lower secondary traumatic stress than divorced/widowed ones. The results of the multivariate analyses are reported in

Table 5. Multivariate associations of sociodemographic and work-related characteristics with burnout dimensions and professional quality of life in MHPs.

	MBI			ProQOL-5
	Emotional Exhaustion	Depersonalization	Personal Accomplishment	Compassion Satisfaction	Burnout	Secondary Traumatic Stress
	β (95% CI)	β (95% CI)	β (95% CI)	β (95% CI)	β (95% CI)	β (95% CI)
Female gender (vs. Male)	-	−0.12 (−3.44, −0.16) *	-	-	-	-
Place of origin
Urban (vs. Rural)	-	-	−0.24 (−6.10, −1.46) **	-	-	-
Semi-urban (vs. Rural)			−0.31 (−8.79, −3.12) ***
Marital status
Unmarried (vs. Divorced/widowed)	-	-	-	-	-	−0.23 (−4.53, −0.29) *
Married (vs. Divorced/widowed)						−0.26 (−4.74, −0.55) *
Private sector (vs. Public)	-	−0.03 (−1.88, 0.93)	-	0.16 (0.61, 3.60) **	−0.15 (−3.24, −0.52)	-
Specialization
Psychologist (vs. Psychiatrist)	−0.29 (−9.48, −3.00) ***	−0.47 (−8.17, −4.11) ***	0.13 (−0.22, 4.51)	-	-	-
Social worker (vs. Psychiatrist)	−0.19 (−9.41, −1.56) **	−0.33 (−8.25, −3.34) ***	0.06 (−1.61, 4.10)
Nurse (vs. Psychiatrist)	−0.05 (−5.30, 2.38)	−0.21 (−5.80, −1.28) **	−0.12 (−5.20, 0.40)
Nurse (vs. Psychologist)	0.17 (1.32, 8.23) *	0.15 (0.57, 4.62) *	−0.22 (−7.07, −2.03) ***
Other (vs. Psychiatrist)	−0.07 (−6.04, 1.810)	−0.25 (−6.72, −1.98) ***	−0.12 (−5.47, 0.27)
Other (vs. Psychologist)	0.14 (0.55, 7.70) *	0.10 (−0.23, 3.82)	−0.22 (−7.33, −2.16) ***
Years of expertise
≤5 years (vs. >10 years)	0.19 (1.73, 6.94) ***	-	-	−0.18 (−4.16, −0.88) **	-	-
5–10 years (vs. >10 years)	0.18 (1.78, 8.35) **			−0.01 (−4.04, 0.09)
Income > 1000 € (vs. ≤1000€)	-	0.00 (−1.41, 1.40)	-	-	-	-

Abbreviations: MBI: Maslach Burnout Inventory; ProQOL: Professional Quality of Life Scale. Bold font indicates statistically significant effects at p < 0.05. *** p < 0.001, ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.05.

.

4. Discussion

The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction among MHPs in Greece and to investigate the sociodemographic and work-related factors influencing burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction levels. The findings indicate that a significant portion of respondents experience high levels of burnout, with 11.8% reporting high emotional exhaustion, 19.9% experiencing high depersonalization, and 35.9% at high risk of reduced personal accomplishments. However, regarding professional quality of life, almost half of the participants (48.8%) reported high levels of compassion satisfaction, suggesting that many MHPs still find fulfillment in their work. Notably, none of the participants reported high levels of compassion fatigue. Furthermore, the study highlights the significant role of personal characteristics such as gender, origin, and marital status, as well as professional factors such as employment sector, specialization, and years of experience, in shaping the emotional well-being of MHPs.

4.1. Prevalence of Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Compassion Satisfaction in MHPs

The findings from this study align with existing literature on burnout in the mental health profession but show lower levels of burnout compared with international and other Greek studies. In our study, 11.8% of MHPs reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, 19.9% exhibited elevated depersonalization scores, and 35.9% were at high risk of reduced personal accomplishments. In addition, 10 participants (3.5%) demonstrated high levels of burnout across all three dimensions. The overall prevalence rates observed in this study are consistent with broader findings in the field, where burnout rates among MHPs range from 21% to 67% (Morse et al., 2012). The results of O’Connor et al.’s (2018) meta-analysis further confirm the widespread nature of burnout, with 40% of MHPs reporting emotional exhaustion, 22% experiencing depersonalization, and 19% facing low personal accomplishment. Burnout is a significant issue among Greek MHPs, highlighting ongoing challenges in the country’s mental healthcare system. Studies such as Mangoulia et al. (2015) and Konstantinou et al. (2018) reported high levels of burnout, with nearly half of psychiatric nurses at risk and over 50% of mental health nurses experiencing emotional exhaustion. The findings of Rachiotis et al. (2020) further illustrate the severity of burnout, with 75% of MHPs in substance abuse treatment reporting high emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, along with low personal accomplishment. The lower burnout rates observed in our study may stem from Greece’s socioeconomic context, adaptive coping strategies, and the timing of the study during a potentially less stressful period for MHPs, along with the sample not fully representing high-stress roles, and factors such as methodology and access to professional support potentially influencing the results compared to other studies.

This study offers a nuanced perspective on the emotional experiences of Greek MHPs, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of their professional quality of life. A notable 48.8% of the participants reported high levels of compassion satisfaction, indicating that many MHPs find fulfillment and accomplishment in their work. However, the absence of high levels of compassion fatigue among Greek MHPs contrasts with the broader literature, where studies have found compassion fatigue rates ranging from 10% to 74.1% (J. Singh et al., 2020; Laverdière et al., 2019; Xie et al., 2021). Despite this, the lack of high compassion fatigue does not fully capture the emotional challenges faced by these professionals, as 34.5% reported moderate burnout and 18.8% experienced moderate secondary traumatic stress, highlighting that while MHPs derive meaning from their roles, they still confront significant emotional strain. Comparing our findings with those of Mangoulia et al. (2015), we observed both similarities and key differences. Their study of psychiatric nurses in Greece revealed that 49.4% were at high risk of burnout, and 44.8% were at high risk of secondary traumatic stress/compassion fatigue, which were significantly higher than the moderate levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress observed in our study. This suggests that the impact of burnout and secondary trauma may vary across professional groups (e.g., nurses vs. other MHPs) and settings. Additionally, Mangoulia et al. (2015) reported that only 8.1% of psychiatric nurses experienced high levels of compassion satisfaction, contrasting sharply with the 48.8% found in our study. This discrepancy may reflect differences in job roles, intensity of patient interactions, and work environments, with psychiatric nurses likely facing more direct caregiving challenges than other MHPs.

The low levels of compassion fatigue reported in this study can be attributed to several factors. Greek society is a combination of individualistic and collectivistic features (Papastylianou & Lampridis, 2016), which could allow Greek MHPs to benefit from individualistic (e.g., self-enhancement) and collectivistic (e.g., social support) mechanisms. According to Marangudakis (2019), Greek identity is undergoing a transformation, shifting from a predominantly collectivist orientation toward increasingly individualistic ways of living—a process that began as early as the 1970s and 1980s (Doumanis, 1983; Georgas, 1989). Pouliasi and Verkuyten (2011) suggest that this shift toward individualization has yielded important psychological benefits, such as enhanced personal self-evaluation, while still preserving the value of the collective self in contributing to individual well-being. Individual coping mechanisms, such as emotional regulation, social support, and professional self-care, can help MHPs manage emotional exhaustion and reduce the risk of developing compassion fatigue. Additionally, a supportive work environment, which includes effective supervision, peer networks, and organizational resources, may help mitigate emotional strain. The cultural and socio-economic context in Greece, with challenges such as economic instability and strained mental health systems, could also influence how MHPs perceive and handle their clients’ suffering. Greek MHPs may have developed more adaptive coping strategies that lower their susceptibility to compassion fatigue despite experiencing other burnout-related issues.

4.2. Factors Associated with Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Compassion Satisfaction in MHPs

This study highlights the influence of sociodemographic and work-related factors on the emotional well-being of MHPs. Gender, origin, and marital status were found to be linked to different aspects of professional quality of life. More specifically, the study found that male MHPs reported significantly higher levels of depersonalization than their female counterparts, suggesting a potential gender difference in how burnout is experienced within the Greek context. This may be influenced by cultural gender stereotypes, where men are expected to exhibit emotional restraint, a characteristic of Greek masculinity (Dadatsi, 2014). This societal expectation may lead men to experience burnout differently, particularly by developing greater emotional distance from clients. However, the existing literature on gender differences in burnout among MHPs presents conflicting findings, with some studies indicating that men are more vulnerable to burnout (C. Singh et al., 2015), while others suggest that women are at greater risk (Schadenhofer et al., 2018). O’Connor et al.’s (2018) systematic review and meta-analysis further suggest that the impact of gender on burnout is context-dependent and shaped by both personal and professional factors. Similarly, the relationship between gender and compassion satisfaction or fatigue remains complex, as some studies (Rossi et al., 2012) found higher levels of compassion fatigue in women, while others (Salloum et al., 2015) reported higher compassion satisfaction in female MHPs, highlighting the inconsistencies in current research.

Our study indicates that MHPs from rural areas reported higher levels of personal accomplishment than their urban and semi-urban counterparts, suggesting that geographic location can influence professional satisfaction. Rural MHPs may benefit from closer, more stable, and mutually satisfying relationships with clients and potentially lower caseloads, fostering a greater sense of fulfillment in their work than the high-stress, fast-paced environments typical of urban areas. However, the existing literature is inconclusive, with some studies linking urban environments to higher burnout (Saijo et al., 2013), while others report no such association (C. Singh et al., 2015). Additionally, the study highlights the impact of personal life circumstances, with divorced or widowed MHPs experiencing higher levels of secondary traumatic stress than their married or unmarried peers. This suggests that personal stressors, such as loss and relationship breakdowns, may intensify the emotional demands of caregiving roles, making caregiving professionals more vulnerable to compassion fatigue. Nevertheless, the relationship between marital status, burnout, and compassion satisfaction remains context-dependent, as some studies link separation or divorce to worse outcomes (Haik et al., 2017; Rossi et al., 2012), while others suggest that it may lead to higher compassion satisfaction (Almadani et al., 2022).

Our study also depicts those work-related factors, such as employment sector, specialization, and years of experience, are significantly associated with burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction among MHPs. Specifically, MHPs in the public sector reported higher levels of burnout and lower compassion satisfaction compared to those in the private sector. These findings are consistent with recent studies indicating that public sector MHPs are at higher risk of burnout (Nuss et al., 2020; Van Hoy & Rzeszutek, 2022). This increased risk is likely due to the unique challenges of working in the public sector, such as heavier workloads, limited resources, and systemic inefficiencies, which contribute to elevated job-related stress, decreased job satisfaction, and greater emotional exhaustion.

Specialization emerged as a key factor influencing MHPs’ emotional well-being, with psychiatrists reporting higher levels of emotional exhaustion compared to psychologists and social workers, and higher depersonalization compared to psychologists, social workers, nurses, and other professionals. This finding underscores the high-stress and emotionally demanding nature of psychiatric practice, where psychiatrists are tasked with managing complex diagnoses, pharmacological interventions, and ethically challenging situations, often within legal frameworks that heighten professional accountability (N. G. Christodoulou & Kollias, 2019). These challenges are further compounded by systemic limitations, as Greece has one of the lowest ratios of physicians within its General Health System, placing additional strain on mental health professionals (Eurostat, 2025). The dysphoria that psychiatrists reported may be a distinct moral type of occupational stress in response to pressures of the workplace (Fattori et al., 2024; Maguire & Looi, 2022). In contrast, psychologists reported the highest levels of personal accomplishment, lower emotional exhaustion than nurses and other professionals, and lower depersonalization than nurses, possibly because of their emphasis on building therapeutic relationships and supporting client progress. These findings align with O’Connor et al.’s (2018) systematic review, which found that psychologists generally experience lower levels of burnout. However, unlike our study, O’Connor et al. (2018) identified social workers and nurses as being at higher risk for burnout, a discrepancy that may be attributed to cultural and systemic differences in the Greek mental healthcare system, where psychiatrists typically bear the primary responsibility for diagnosing, decision-making, and crisis intervention. Our results also align with previous research indicating that MHPs working in high-stress environments, such as psychiatric hospitals, face a greater risk of burnout (Johnson et al., 2012; Lasalvia et al., 2009). This suggests that while psychiatric work may contribute to higher burnout due to emotional strain, a more therapeutic focus on psychological practice may provide greater professional fulfillment and resilience.

Over time, experienced MHPs develop better coping strategies, emotional resilience, and a stronger understanding of their job demands, which help mitigate the emotional toll of the profession. As MHPs gain experience, they feel less stress, build stronger self-efficacy (Gloudemans et al., 2013), and gain a greater sense of accomplishment and meaning in their work (Wontorczyk et al., 2023). Long-term client relationships also enhance job satisfaction and commitment. These findings highlight the importance of mentorship and supervision for early-career professionals while acknowledging the value of experience-based growth in reducing burnout. However, O’Connor et al. (2018) noted that the relationship between experience and burnout is inconsistent, suggesting that experience does not always protect against burnout due to factors such as workload and organizational support.

4.3. Strengths and Limitations

This study’s key strength is its large, diverse sample, including participants from various professional groups and work settings, with a high response rate of 87%. It also benefits from a comprehensive set of variables that address sociodemographic factors, occupational characteristics, and work-life quality indicators. However, several limitations should be considered. The cross-sectional design constrains causal inferences, and while participants were drawn from multiple regions in Greece, the results may not be fully representative of the entire country. This study focused on sociodemographic and work-related factors, overlooking other important variables, such as coping strategies for work-related stress. Given the exploratory nature of this study, no formal corrections for multiple testing (e.g., Bonferroni or False Discovery Rate) were applied. However, we recognize that multiple comparisons heighten the risk of Type I error, and therefore, caution is advised when interpreting results, especially those approaching statistical significance. Additionally, the use of Greek-specific MBI cutoff scores, which may differ from international standards, may affect burnout classification and prevalence rates. As such, caution is necessary when comparing these findings to studies using different scoring systems, as this may influence the generalizability of the results to other contexts. Lastly, the gender imbalance, with a higher proportion of female participants compared to the broader population of Greek MHPs, could influence findings related to compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. Future studies with a more balanced gender distribution would improve the generalizability and understanding of gender-related factors.

5. Conclusions

In conclusion, burnout remains a significant concern for MHPs in Greece. The high levels of burnout reported may well be influenced by organizational factors such as support, collaboration, and training. The high compassion satisfaction reported along with high levels of compassion fatigue highlights the resilience and fulfillment that can coexist with the challenges of the profession. The study also emphasizes the important role that personal characteristics, such as gender, marital status, and origin, along with professional factors such as employment sector, specialization, and years of experience, play in shaping MHPs’ emotional well-being. These findings reveal a complex relationship between burnout and professional satisfaction, wherein individuals who experience high burnout still report positive aspects of their professional quality of life. This emphasizes the need for a comprehensive support approach that addresses the emotional and psychological demands of the profession while also providing adequate organizational resources, supervision, and coping strategies. Tailored interventions that consider both personal and work-related factors are vital for enhancing the well-being and long-term success of Greek MHPs, ensuring that they remain resilient and capable of delivering high-quality care despite emotional challenges.

6. Policy-Level Recommendations

The findings from this study highlight the significant challenges faced by MHPs in Greece, particularly regarding burnout, compassion fatigue, and job satisfaction. To address these issues, several policy-level recommendations are proposed to enhance the professional well-being of MHPs and ensure the sustainability of mental health services in Greece. First, establishing comprehensive mental health support programs within the workplace is crucial. These programs should include regular psychological support, professional supervision, and peer support networks, which will help MHPs cope with the emotional demands of their work and reduce burnout risk. Policies should also regulate MHPs’ caseloads to avoid overwhelming professionals, ensuring they have the time and resources needed to deliver high-quality care, which in turn would improve job satisfaction. Furthermore, integrating training in emotional regulation, stress management, and self-care into professional development can empower MHPs to better manage the emotional toll of their work. Policy initiatives should also prioritize work–life balance, including flexible working hours, paid time off, and limits on overtime, to help MHPs maintain long-term career satisfaction and prevent burnout. Regular organizational assessments, such as surveys on job satisfaction and burnout, would enable early identification of issues and allow for timely interventions. Finally, given the gender imbalance observed in this study, gender-sensitive approaches should be incorporated into policies to address the distinct challenges faced by male and female MHPs. By implementing these recommendations, policymakers can create a supportive environment that improves MHPs’ well-being, ensuring that they remain resilient and capable of delivering high-quality mental healthcare in Greece.