A sample of 194 Italian health care-givers working in HIV/AIDS units was assessed to investigate whether there was a correlation between individual variables (socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, personality traits, anxiety, depression, attitudes and emotional reactions) and burnout and job satisfaction. For this proposal were used the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), a socio-demographic and occupational characteristics schedule, Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, Ipat Anxiety Scale, Ipat Depression Scale and AIDS Impact Questionnaire. A principal component analysis on frequency subscales scores of MBI extracted two independent dimensions labelled 'burnout' and 'personal accomplishment'. The results suggested important correlations among 'burnout', 'personal accomplishment', anxiety and depression. Age of care-givers was negatively correlated with 'burnout' and practical nurses were less personally accomplished. Anxiety, depression, emotional reactions, attitudes, ego strength, and the aptitude for interpersonal relationships and to team work were significant factors in outlining a profile of highly 'burned out' and 'personally accomplished' HIV/AIDS health care-givers. These results suggest the development of precise strategies of prevention, intervention and treatment of burnout considering not only the importance of occupational and institutional characteristics but also of individuals ones.
