The objectives of this study of public school administrators were to determine the level of burnout experienced by school administrators, the relationships between burnout and stress measures, the factors associated with burnout, and the relationships between administrative level and components of the Administrative Role Perception Inventory (Hales and Wax, 1982). Mailed questionnaires to all active members of the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA), which comprises approximately 75 percent of the state's practicing administrators, yielded 1,300 returns with an approximate 63 percent response rate. The sample distribution of central office administrators and principals and vice principals at all three school levels was similar to COSA membership distribution. A quantitative methodology using coefficient of correlation, analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance, univariate analysis, and Scheffe's test for pair-wise mean comparisons concluded that effective principals are active instructional leaders and disciplinarians. However, the principal's leadership role is influenced by a reflexive relationship with central office administration. Findings demonstrate the need for stress management and other human development programs that recognizes the reality of burnout. (32 references) (LMI)