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

Ursula Martin

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...