Organizational and Individual Factors Associated with Job Satisfaction and Burnout of Community Social Service Workers

Job satisfaction and burnout are important areas of study because of the social and economic effects of job satisfaction and the damaging physical/psychological impacts of burnout. 200 family/children and psychiatric workers of seven social service organizations were surveyed in the spring of 1990. Instruments used were the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals. Reported levels of job satisfaction and burnout are within normal limits. Psychiatric and family/children workers report equal job satisfaction levels, but the latter group reports significantly higher burnout levels. Both groups are particularly satisfied with the amount of praise delivered by supervisors and are reportedly dissatisfied with salary levels and promotional opportunities. Praise delivered by supervisors, promotional opportunities, and salary satisfaction are strongly associated with job satisfaction levels of both groups. Correlates of burnout for psychiatric workers are dissatisfaction with amount of praise delivered by supervisors and dissatisfaction with salary; correlates for family/children workers are limited social services employment and dissatisfaction with amount of praise. Findings have practical implications for social service administrators and practitioners. Correlates of satisfaction and burnout can be altered in order to maintain employee satisfaction and reduce burnout, absenteeism and turnover.