In recent years, burnout has emerged as a critical concern in mental health, occupational psychology, and well-being studies. While burnout was once primarily associated with professional contexts, the evolving research landscape has shown that it is also a deeply personal phenomenon. This is especially evident in the Personal Burnout dimension of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Created by Kristensen et al. (2005), the CBI is widely used in burnout research due to its unique, multidimensional approach, allowing for an in-depth understanding of personal, work-related, and client-related burnout dimensions. Personal Burnout, in particular, refers to the general, overall feeling of exhaustion and fatigue that an individual experiences, regardless of its connection to a specific job or activity (Kristensen et al., 2005). This article examines the nature and significance of Personal Burnout, explores factors contributing to it, and reviews research applications of the CBI’s Personal Burnout dimension.

Burnout is a complex psychological state characterized by chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment. Initially identified in helping professions, burnout is now recognized as a pervasive issue across various work settings and industries (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). Work-related burnout, as conceptualized in the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) developed by Kristensen et al. (2005), specifically measures exhaustion and fatigue that stem from work demands. This dimension of burnout is critical because it isolates the influence of job-related stressors on an individual’s mental and physical health, offering insights into how work environments can impact employees’ well-being. This article provides an in-depth examination of work-related burnout, exploring the CBI’s approach to measuring it, the primary causes, and implications for individual and organizational health, with recommendations for reducing its prevalence.