Abstract
This study examined the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout using the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Subjects studied were 75 human services professionals who had graduated, over a 10-year period, from an undergraduate human services training program. The results showed that this group of human service workers generally scored in the moderate and low ranges of the burnout measure and that job satisfaction was inversely related to experienced burnout. Of the several variables studied, the opportunity for professional development was the only one which consistently differentiated those who were more satisfied with their jobs from those who were less satisfied. Implications for training programs and employment settings are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cherniss, C. (1980).Professional burnout in human service organizations. New York: Praeger.
Cherniss, C., Egnatios, E.S. & Wacker, S. (1976). Job stress and career development in new public professionals.Professional Psychology, 7 428–436.
Farber, B.A. & Heifetz, L.J. (1982). The process and dimensions of burnout psychotherapists.Professional Psychology, 13 293–301.
Freudenberger, H.J. (1974). Staff burnout.Journal of Social Issues, 30 159–165.
Herman, J.B. & Hulin, C.L. (1973). Managerial satisfactions and organizational roles: An investigation of Porter's need deficiency scales.Journal of Applied Psychology.57 118–124.
Imparto, N. (1972). Relationship between Porter's Need Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Job Descriptive Index.Journal of Applied Psychology, 56 397–405.
Jayaratne, S. & Chess, W.A. (1984). The effects of emotional support on perceived job stress and strain.Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 20 141–153.
Jones, J.W. (1981). Diagnosing and treating staff burnout among health professionals. In J.W. Jones (Ed.),The burnout syndrome: Current research, theory, interventions (pp. 107–125). Park Ridge, IL: London House Press.
Karasek, K.A. (1979). Job demands, job decision, latitude and mental strain: Implications for job redesign.Administrative Science Quarterly, 24 285–308.
Kopelman, R.E. (1979). Directionally different expectancy theory predictions of work motivation and job satisfaction.Motivation and Emotion, 3 299–317.
Locke, E.A. (1976). The nature and consequences of job satisfaction. In M.D. Dunnette (Ed.),Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 1297–1349). Chicago: Rand McNally.
Maslach, C. (1982).Burnout — The cost of caring. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Maslach, C. & Jackson, S.E. (1982). Burnout in health professions: A social psychological analysis. In G. Sanders & J. Suls (Eds.),Social psychology of health and illness (pp. 227–251). Hillsdale, NJ: Eribaum.
Maslach, C. & Jackson, S.E. (1981).The Maslach Burnout Inventory. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Payne, R., Jick, T.D., & Burke, R.J. (1982). Whither stress research?: An agenda for the 1980's.Occupational Behavior, 3 131–145.
Perlman, B. & Hartman, E.A. (1982). Burnout: Summary and future research.Human Relations, 35 283–305.
Pines, A.M., Aronson, E., & Kafry, D. (1981).Burnout: From tedium to personal growth. New York: Free Press.
Schwab, R.L. & Iwanicki, E.F. (1982). Who are our burned out teachers?Educational Research Quarterly, 7 5–16.
Scholom, A. & Perlman, B. (1979). The forgotten staff: Who cares for the caregivers?Administration in Mental Health, 7 21–31.
Shinn, M., Rosario, M., Morch, H., & Chestnut, D.E. (1984). Coping with job stress and burnout in the human services.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46 864–876.
Smith, P.C., Kendall, L.M., & Hulin, L.L. (1969).The measurement of satisfaction in work and retirement. Chicago: Rand McNally.
Smith, P.C., Smith, O.W., & Rollo, J. (1974). Factor structure for blacks and whites on the Job Descriptive Index and its discrimination of job satisfaction.Journal of Applied Psychology, 59 99–100.
Stumpf, S.A. & Rabinowitz, S. (1981). Career stage as a moderator of performance relationships with facets of job satisfaction and role perceptions.Journal of Vocational Behavior, 18 202–218.
Thompson, D. & Powers, S. (1983). Correlates of role conflict and role ambiguity among secondary school counselors.Psychological Reports, 52 239–242.
Wiggins, J.D. & Moody, A. (1983). Identifying effective counselors through client/supervisor ratings and personality environment variables.Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 31 259–269.
Wright, D. & Gurkin, T.B. (1981). School psychologists' job satisfaction and discrepancies between actual and desired work functions.Psychological Reports, 49 735–738.
Additional information
The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance provided by Ms. Irene Beatt and Dr. Joan Garfield during the completion of this study. Requests for reprints should be sent to John L. Romano, 106 Nicholson Hall, University of Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455. Margaret Penn is affiliated with Honeywell, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota and David Foat is affiliated with the Hazelden Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Penn, M., Romano, J.L. & Foat, D. The relationship between job satisfaction and burnout: A study of human service professionals. Administration in Mental Health 15, 157–165 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00869249
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00869249