Why are so many in the helping professions perceived as lacking idealism or commitment? Beyond Burnout, based on a unique, in-depth, longitudinal study, explores the source of this problem. Professionals describe in their own words what happened to them when their idealism collided with the realities of their work.

Part One: Setting the Stage: 1. The First Year: "Thought I'd Died and Gone to Hell"; 2. From Stress to Burnout; Part Two: The Next Decade: 3. The Flight from Public Service; 4. More Compassion-For Those Who Deserve It; 5. More Open to change-On Their Terms; 6. Why Work? Shifting Priorities; 7. Fulfillment and Regret; Part Three: HowSome Overcame Burnout: 8. Five Who Prevailed; 9. Antidotes to Burnout: Finding Meaningful Work; 10. Antidotes to Burnout: Finding Greater Professional Autonomy and Support; 11. Antidotes to Burnout: What the Individual Brings to Work; 12. Some Implications for Policy and Practice; 13. What's Missing? The Quest for Meaning.

Cary Cherniss is Professor of Applied Psychology at Rutgers University. He is the author of ProfessionalBurnout in Human Service Organizations and Staff Burnout:Job Stress in the Human Services as well as numerous articles on burnout.