Client characteristics, organizational variables and burnout in care staff: The mediating role of fear of assault

► A model of carer stress in people with Intellectual disabilities is tested. ► Challenging behavior and emotional exhaustion were fully mediated by fear of assault. ► Emotional exhaustion and experienced safety (an organizational variable) was also fully mediated by fear of assault. ► The model suggests that staff burnout can be reduced by influencing either staff cognitions, organizational factors or challenging behavior or a combination of these factors.