The Risk of Burnout Among French Mayors: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed the risk of burnout among French mayors and analyzed the specific features of burnout in this population.

Methods: A national cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2024 in collaboration with the Association of Rural Mayors of France. An online questionnaire, including the Burnout Measure Short Version, was sent to 11,905 Association of Rural Mayors of France members.

Results: After exclusion, 900 responses were analyzed. The results revealed that 31.4% of French mayors experienced burnout in their elected functions, with 3.48% experiencing severe burnout. The characteristics of burnout among mayors revealed a mix of frenetic and impediment syndromes, with feelings of disappointment, fatigue, powerlessness, and frustration being prominent, along with the experience of poor sleep.

Conclusions: The implications for preventing burnout among mayors are significant, and interventions must target both work overload and frustration.

Keywords: French mayors; burnout; local governance; mental health; stress.