The purpose of this study is to propose directions for future
research to prevent burnout of social workers through a review of
previous studies. We selected and analyzed 39 KCI empirical
studies on social workers’ burnout that published between 1999
and 2016. By using descriptive analysis, we found there has been
a growth in the number of studies addressing the burnout of social
workers since 2010 and 35 of literatures used the quantitative
method. And by using thematic analysis, it appeared that burnout
was defined narrowly and most studies focused on the effects of
burnout on the organizational level such as problems of turnover,
job performance and outcome of agencies. Also, they analyzed
protective and risk factors at the organizational level. Based on
the results, we suggested that more research on burnout is needed
to diversify the definition of burnout, research methodology, and
related variables.