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Maternal Emotional Burnout Questionnaire3

Maternal Emotional Burnout Questionnaire Test

Understand your stress and emotional strain from motherhood in about 11 minutes. Get clear, practical insights into fatigue, irritability, detachment, and tension to guide timely support.

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Questions: 6011 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

22,480 views

2,344 completions

1,884 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

14/30

Psychosomatic Symptoms (PS)

Assesses how strongly emotional burnout is associated with stress-related physical complaints and flare-ups of chronic symptoms.

Low

Elevated

0 – 14: Low | 15 – 30: Elevated

A score of 14 falls in the Low range, suggesting relatively infrequent stress-related physical symptoms in the context of burnout.

example score

3/15

Personal Detachment (PD)

This scale measures the degree of emotional distancing and reduced personal engagement with the child, where the child may be perceived more as an object than an individual.

Low detachment

Moderate detachment

High detachment

0 – 7: Low detachment | 8 – 10: Moderate detachment | 11 – 15: High detachment

A score of 3 falls in the Low detachment range, suggesting generally preserved emotional connection and involvement with the child.

example score

9/16

Emotional Detachment (ED)

This scale measures the degree to which emotions are withdrawn from the relationship with the child, reflecting reduced responsiveness and indifference.

Low detachment

Moderate detachment

High detachment

0 – 7: Low detachment | 8 – 10: Moderate detachment | 11 – 16: High detachment

A score of 9 falls in the moderate detachment range, suggesting some emotional distancing and a less vivid emotional response in interactions with the child.

example score

8/23

Emotional Deficit (ED)

This scale reflects how much a mother’s capacity for empathy and emotional support toward her child is reduced, with higher scores indicating more negative and fewer positive emotions.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 13: Low | 14 – 19: Moderate | 20 – 23: High

A score of 8 falls in the Low range, suggesting emotional responsiveness and supportive engagement are generally preserved with only occasional signs of emotional depletion.

example score

57/84

Exhaustion (E)

Exhaustion reflects reduced energy and emotional tone after prolonged stress and strain in the maternal role.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 35: Low | 36 – 47: Moderate | 48 – 84: High

A score of 57 falls in the High range, suggesting a pronounced drop in energy and emotional resources consistent with significant fatigue from sustained stress.

example score

11/20

Reduction of Maternal Interaction (RoMI)

This scale assesses the extent to which a mother tends to reduce emotional and behavioral contact with her child.

Low reduction

Moderate reduction

High reduction

0 – 10: Low reduction | 11 – 15: Moderate reduction | 16 – 20: High reduction

A score of 11 falls in the moderate range, suggesting a noticeable tendency to limit involvement and contact with the child at times.

example score

15/24

Expansion of Emotional Economy (EoEE)

Assesses the extent to which a mother is reducing communication and seeking emotional isolation as a way to conserve emotional resources.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 11: Low | 12 – 16: Moderate | 17 – 24: High

A score of 15 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable tendency to limit interactions and conserve emotional energy, without the strongest level of emotional withdrawal.

example score

11/21

Emotional and Moral Disorientation (EaMD)

Assesses tendencies toward emotionally detached or inadequate reactions with the child along with self-justifying rationalization of one’s behavior.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 10: Low | 11 – 15: Moderate | 16 – 21: High

A score of 11 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting occasional emotional distancing and increased reliance on self-justification in interactions with the child.

example score

2/21

Selective Responding (SR)

Selective responding measures the extent to which a mother limits emotional responsiveness and warmth in interactions with her child.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 11: Low | 12 – 16: Moderate | 17 – 21: High

A score of 2 falls in the Low range, suggesting generally preserved emotional responsiveness with minimal signs of emotional restraint or callousness.

example score

49/86

Resistance (R)

Resistance measures how strongly a mother relies on protective coping and emotional distancing to reduce the impact of stressors and maintain psychological comfort.

Low resistance

Moderate resistance

High resistance

0 – 43: Low resistance | 44 – 58: Moderate resistance | 59 – 86: High resistance

A score of 49 falls in the Moderate resistance range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme tendency to use defensive reactions or emotional distancing to manage stress.

example score

15/20

Anxiety (A)

Anxiety measures the degree of persistent worry and internal tension a mother feels in relation to her relationship with her child.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 8: Low | 9 – 14: Moderate | 15 – 20: High

A score of 15 falls in the High range, suggesting pronounced and ongoing worry and tension related to interactions with the child.

example score

7/15

Feeling Trapped (FT)

Measures the extent to which a mother feels stuck in a hopeless, monotonous situation with little perceived ability to change it.

Low

High

0 – 8: Low | 9 – 15: High

A score of 7 falls in the Low range, suggesting occasional feelings of being stuck or monotonous but without a strong sense of hopelessness or emotional dead end.

example score

9/16

Dissatisfaction With Self (DWS)

This scale measures the degree of internal dissatisfaction with oneself in the maternal role and one’s perceived effectiveness as a mother.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 6: Low | 7 – 9: Moderate | 10 – 16: High

A score of 9 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting noticeable self-criticism and doubts about coping as a mother that may fluctuate with circumstances.

example score

5/14

Problem Awareness (PA)

Assesses how clearly a mother recognizes difficulties and strain in her interactions with her child.

Low awareness

Moderate awareness

High awareness

0 – 4: Low awareness | 5 – 7: Moderate awareness | 8 – 14: High awareness

A score of 5 falls in the Moderate awareness range, suggesting you notice some interaction difficulties, though they may not feel overwhelming or hopeless.

example score

31/65

Anxious Tension (AT)

Anxious tension measures the degree of persistent internal anxiety and tension arising from ongoing psychotraumatic stressors that can precede emotional burnout.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 28: Low | 29 – 38: Moderate | 39 – 65: High

A score of 31 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting noticeable anxious tension that may reflect ongoing stress without reaching pronounced levels.

example score

153/235

Emotional Burnout (EB)

Measures the extent of emotional resource depletion and reduced resilience related to prolonged stress in the maternal role.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 101: Low | 102 – 136: Moderate | 137 – 235: High

A score of 153 falls in the High range, indicating marked emotional depletion and strain associated with ongoing motherhood-related demands.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Overwhelmed everyday moms

41%OF USERS

Mothers feeling constantly tired, irritable, or emotionally numb use it to understand whether stress has turned into burnout.

Moms in family conflict

34%OF USERS

Women noticing more arguments, resentment, or harsh reactions toward their child or partner take it to pinpoint what is fueling tension.

Counseling and support seekers

25%OF USERS

Mothers already in therapy or considering professional help take it to clarify symptoms and discuss specific areas to work on.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Psychosomatic Disorders (PD)

Average

Normal range

3.3 — 12.6

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Personal detachment (Pd)

Average

4.6

Normal range

2.6 — 6.5

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Emotional Detachment (ED)

Average

11.7

Normal range

9.6 — 13.9

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Emotional Deficiency (ED)

Average

11.2

Normal range

7.8 — 14.5

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Exhaustion (E)

Average

54.3

Normal range

40.9 — 67.7

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Reduction of Maternal Interaction (RoMI)

Average

5.4

Normal range

2.7 — 8.1

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Expanding the Sphere of Emotional Savings (EtSoES)

Average

13.6

Normal range

10.6 — 16.6

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Emotional and Moral Disorientation (EaMD)

Average

9.2

Normal range

5.7 — 12.8

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Selective responding (Sr)

Average

9.8

Normal range

7.2 — 12.5

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Resistance (R)

Average

50.7

Normal range

36.7 — 64.8

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Anxiety (A)

Average

7.4

Normal range

4.2 — 10.6

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Trapped in a Cage (TiaC)

Average

10.3

Normal range

7.7 — 12.9

min.

max.

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Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Dissatisfaction with oneself (Dwo)

Average

6.7

Normal range

3.8 — 9.6

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Awareness of Problems (AoP)

Average

6.3

Normal range

4.5 — 8.2

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Anxious tension (At)

Average

25.6

Normal range

15.2 — 35.9

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Emotional Burnout (EB)

Average

175.7

Normal range

143.6 — 207.7

min.

max.

235

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Dear Mother, You are asked to answer a series of questions concerning your feelings toward your child. Please read each statement and determine whether you have experienced something similar. If you have never experienced such a feeling, answer “No.” If you have experienced such feelings, answer “Yes.” Please respond as candidly as possible.

- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No

These are 3 of the 60 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Maternal Emotional Burnout Questionnaire Test - Symptoms and Signs

motherhood

parental stress

burnout

Maternal emotional strain in the caregiving role can present as persistent fatigue, irritability, or emotional distancing. The Maternal Emotional Burnout Questionnaire is a self-report measure designed to screen the severity and pattern of burnout-related experiences in mothers during ongoing day-to-day interaction with a child.

The instrument includes 60 items and typically requires about 11 minutes to complete. Responses are used to characterize the presence and relative prominence of emotional exhaustion and related stress reactions, supporting clinical formulation and decisions about the need for further assessment or supportive intervention. The Maternal Emotional Burnout Questionnaire is attributed to Christina Maslach and Susan E. Jackson.

Author: Christina Maslach, Susan E. Jackson

Literature: Maslach, C., Jackson, S. E., & Leiter, M. P. Maslach burnout inventory manual. Consulting Psychologists Press. 1996.; Mikolajczak, M., Raes, M.-E., Avalosse, H., & Roskam, I. Exhausted parents: Development and preliminary validation of the parental burnout inventory. Frontiers in Psychology. 2018.