Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Background: Historically, social work has been considered a profession that has high risk of burnout, which in turn, influences physical health in the workforce. While substantial research exists regarding burnout among social workers, very few studies have examined how burnout may affect their physical health. This relationship is a critical issue for social work practice, since poorer physical functioning of social workers—as a result of burnout—could lead to impaired performance and absenteeism. This study examines the relationship between burnout and physical problems among social workers and the potential intervening factors, such as job demands and coping resources. Specifically, a conceptual model is proposed and used to assess: 1) the main and interaction effects of job demands and coping resources (i.e., social support at work, family support, job autonomy) on burnout and physical health problems; and 2) the effects of burnout on physical health problems.

Method: Using a longitudinal study design, 283 registered social workers in California were surveyed at two time points separated by a 1-year interval. Standardized instruments on job demands and coping resources and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were used at time 1, as well as other demographic characteristics. At time 2, respondents also were asked to complete the Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ) which measures four major domains of physical health problems i.e. sleep disturbance, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory infections. Using MPLUS 4.0,.latent path analysis was used to examine the effects of job demands and coping resources on burnout and physical health problems as well as the long-term effects of burnout on physical health problems, taking into account gender, age, and professional experience. An initial second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to test the validity of the latent constructs of psychological burnout and physical health symptoms (Chi-square = 1054.9 and df = 485; RMSEA = 0.05).

Results: Based on the structural model, job demands positively affected burnout (beta =0.65) while job autonomy, family support, and age decreased burnout (betas of -0.11,-0.12, and -0.22, respectively). Burnout at time 1 (beta=.69) and gender (beta=.15) were significant predictors of physical health problems at time 2. In addition, job autonomy buffered the effect of job demands on burnout (Beta=-0.12), while family support buffered the effect of job demands on physical health (Beta=-0.17). Overall, the model explained 58% of variance in burnout and 56% of variance in self-reported physical health. Goodness-of-fit indices suggest a good overall model fit (Chi-square = 117.8, df = 117; RMSEA = 0.04).

Discussion: These findings show that burnout poses an increased risk of physical health problems among social workers, but that increased job autonomy and family support decreases levels of burnout and can help to alleviate the effects of job demands on either burnout or physical health. Therefore, enhancing job autonomy and developing family-supportive policies can be effective organizational interventions to prevent burnout and physical health problems among social workers. Implications for the social work administration and occupational social work practice are considered.