The Job Demands- Resources (JD-R) model of burnout is an overarching model explaining the development of burnout. It describes the process of burnout through a two-step health impairing process wherein an excess of work demands leads to exhaustion and a lack of work resources results in disengagement. Exhaustion coupled with disengagement comprises burnout. Additionally, the model theorizes that work resources buffer the impact of work demands on burnout. A review of literature (presented in chapter 1) related to the model identified 3 main drawbacks- an over-reliance on solely self-report measures, a paucity of longitudinal studies (more specifically diary studies) and a dearth of literature testing the model in Eastern work environments. Furthermore, the need to test a theory-driven, psychological intervention aimed at enhancing resources of employees was identified. Three studies were conducted to address these drawbacks and to test the postulates of the model across two culturally diverse samples in India and the UK. Chapter 2 presents qualitative and quantitative data relating to the demands and resources that were deemed relevant and applicable to employees in both countries. Based on results from this chapter, Chapter 3 tests the fit of the JD-R model in both the UK and India using Structural Equation Modelling. The model showed an acceptable fit in both countries and a majority of the main assumptions of the health impairing process were supported. Additionally this chapter further categorised demands and resources into two latent factors (Organizational Related Demands, Task-Related Demands; External Reinforcement Resources, Personal Influence Resources) based on differential characteristics and functioning of demands and resources. Chapter 4 tested the buffering potential of work and personal resources in both countries. Work resources showed partial buffering effects in the relationship between demands and burnout in both India and the UK. Personal resources displayed partial buffering effects solely in the UK. While chapters 3 and 4 were , based on cross-sectional data, chapters 5 and 6 utilised a daily diary approach to test the model. Chapter 5 tested the health impairing and buffering hypothesis of the model at a daily level. Also, it examined the influence of strain groups on burnout. Results supported the dynamic structure of the model. Additionally there was a significant difference in overall exhaustion (in the UK) and disengagement (in India) among employee groups that had been predetermined to be high strain (according to the JD- R model). Partial evidence of the daily buffering potential of job resources in the relationship between job demands and burnout was noted, supporting the findings of chapter 4. Finally, chapter 6 tested the effectiveness of a self-affirmation intervention in reducing burnout. Experimental group 1 affirmed work resources, experimental group 2 affirmed personal resources and the control group affirmed their least important work resource. Findings showed no significant difference in burnout between those that were in the experimental and control groups. Employees in India that affirmed work resources demonstrated lower overall disengagement scores. The three studies combined to comprehensively test the fit and assumptions of the JD-R model across India and the UK, adopting both cross-sectional and diary measures. Overall support for the model was shown in both countries, but there were subtle differences in the intricate workings of the model across countries

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The objective of this study was to: (1) assess the overall wellness climate profile of a sample of higher education call centre employees for national benchmarking purposes; (2) explore the relationship between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout; and (3) determine how the participants differ regarding these variables in terms of socio-demographic contextual factors such as gender, race, age, and marital status. The South African Employee Health and Wellness Survey was used as a measuring instrument. Compared to the national norm, the results indicated a risky wellness climate reflecting a burnout propensity, lower morale (affective wellbeing) and lower resilience (sense of coherence). Significant relations existed between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout levels. Significant differences regarding these variables were also detected between males and females and the various marital status groups regarding the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout. The findings of this study contributed new knowledge that may be used to inform employee wellness programmes within a higher education call centre environment. The study concluded with recommendations for future research and practice. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The objective of this study was to: (1) assess the overall wellness climate profile of a sample of higher education call centre employees for national benchmarking purposes; (2) explore the relationship between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout; and (3) determine how the participants differ regarding these variables in terms of socio-demographic contextual factors such as gender, race, age, and marital status. The South African Employee Health and Wellness Survey was used as a measuring instrument. Compared to the national norm, the results indicated a risky wellness climate reflecting a burnout propensity, lower morale (affective wellbeing) and lower resilience (sense of coherence). Significant relations existed between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout levels. Significant differences regarding these variables were also detected between males and females and the various marital status groups regarding the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout. The findings of this study contributed new knowledge that may be used to inform employee wellness programmes within a higher education call centre environment. The study concluded with recommendations for future research and practice. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Fire fighters are involved in critical decision making situations, and under-performance and lack of job satisfaction due to burnout could adversely affect the welfare of the people that are being provided with the service. This study thus investigated the relationship between burnout and job satisfaction amongst operational fire fighters. Two measuring instruments were used: the Pines, Aronson & Kafry (1981) Burnout Index, and the Smith, Hulin and Kendall (1969) Job Descriptive Index. This study was conducted amongst 102 fire fighters working for a local authority. Through a literature review, burnout and job satisfaction were defined, and a link between the two constructs outlined. Through an empirical study, the relationship between burnout and job satisfaction was determined. Supporting evidence indicates a negative correlation between burnout and job satisfaction, as well as revealing social support amongst co-workers as being an important buffer against the effects of burnout. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

The objective of this study was (i) to determine the relationship between sense of coherence, work engagement and burnout; and (ii) to determine whether, in terms of the various socio-demographic groups, namely, gender, age, race, marital status, number of years in current position and number of years in public service, the sample differed significantly in terms of their levels of sense of coherence, work engagement and burnout. A quantitative study, using primary data, was conducted using a convenience sample (N = 172) of middle managers in a public service organisation. The psychometric properties of the Orientation to Life Questionnaire, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale were investigated before the hypothesis was tested. The statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics. The Kaiser-Meyer Olkin and Bartlett’s test of sphericity techniques were used to determine the exploratory factor analysis of all three measuring scales. A correlation analysis between the one-factor sense of coherence, one-factor work engagement and the three burnout sub-dimensions (exhaustion, cynicism and professional efficacy) was conducted. The Pearson product-moment correlation was used to determine the strength of the relationships between the variables. The level of significance was set at a 95% confidence interval level (p 􀀂􀀁0,05). Standard multiple regression analysis was used to establish whether there is a significant relationship between sense of coherence, work engagement and burnout. The Wilk’s lambda technique was used to test the results for significance, while Levene's test of equality of error variances technique was used to test the results for significance on the sense of coherence and work engagement scales with regard to the demographic groups. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the participants’ sense of coherence, work engagement and burnout levels. Significant differences were also found between respondents in the marital status group and the burnout dimension, depersonalisation or cynicism. The results also reflected the wellbeing status of middle managers and indicated that the respondents were flourishing (feeling good as they scored a high sense of coherence and functioning well as indicated by a high score for work engagement). It is anticipated that the findings of the study will contribute valuable knowledge to employee wellbeing programmes in public service. The study concludes by making recommendations for future research practice. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The objective of this study was to: (1) assess the overall wellness climate profile of a sample of higher education call centre employees for national benchmarking purposes; (2) explore the relationship between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout; and (3) determine how the participants differ regarding these variables in terms of socio-demographic contextual factors such as gender, race, age, and marital status. The South African Employee Health and Wellness Survey was used as a measuring instrument. Compared to the national norm, the results indicated a risky wellness climate reflecting a burnout propensity, lower morale (affective wellbeing) and lower resilience (sense of coherence). Significant relations existed between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout levels. Significant differences regarding these variables were also detected between males and females and the various marital status groups regarding the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout. The findings of this study contributed new knowledge that may be used to inform employee wellness programmes within a higher education call centre environment. The study concluded with recommendations for future research and practice. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Fire fighters are involved in critical decision making situations, and under-performance and lack of job satisfaction due to burnout could adversely affect the welfare of the people that are being provided with the service. This study thus investigated the relationship between burnout and job satisfaction amongst operational fire fighters. Two measuring instruments were used: the Pines, Aronson & Kafry (1981) Burnout Index, and the Smith, Hulin and Kendall (1969) Job Descriptive Index. This study was conducted amongst 102 fire fighters working for a local authority. Through a literature review, burnout and job satisfaction were defined, and a link between the two constructs outlined. Through an empirical study, the relationship between burnout and job satisfaction was determined. Supporting evidence indicates a negative correlation between burnout and job satisfaction, as well as revealing social support amongst co-workers as being an important buffer against the effects of burnout. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

L’objectif de cette recherche est double. Etudier les causes et conséquences du Burnout des soignants, dans un premier temps, et comprendre l’effet de la présence d’un jardin dans un secteur gériatrique hospitalier dans un second temps. Les infirmiers et aides-soignants de neuf services de gériatrie ont répondu à un questionnaire construit à partir des théories et échelles de Karasek et Theorell (1990), Siegrist (1996), Shirom (2004) et Kurorinka (1987). Ainsi, le Burnout est confronté aux facteurs psychosociaux, à la Vigueur (bien être) et aux douleurs physiques pour extraire les causes et conséquences de ce trouble psychologique. Ces mêmes équipes ont également participé à des entretiens de type « focus groups » et à des entretiens individuels semi-dirigés afin de s’exprimer sur leurs conditions de travail, ainsi que sur leur vécu et leur ressenti de la présence ou l’absence d’un jardin aménagé ou non aménagé dans leur environnement de travail. Ces équipes de soins appartenaient à trois types de services gériatriques : unité cognitivo-comportementale, soins palliatifs, soins de réadaptation. Les résultats principaux du questionnaire mettent en cause le manque de soutien de la hiérarchie comme aspect augmentant les risques de Burnout. Ce résultat est par la suite confirmé par les entretiens. De plus, le Burnout semble moins présent dans les services avec jardin que sans jardin, et il existe également une amplification de ce bénéfice dans les jardins thérapeutiques. On observe une sensation de Vigueur, tant physique que psychologique, plus importante dans les services avec jardin, et une tendance à l’augmentation des T.M.S. dans les services avec jardin thérapeutique. Cette constatation amène à s’interroger sur l'ergonomie du travail dans ce type d'environnement. En conclusion, le jardin apparaît comme un dispositif systémique favorable aux interactions de travail dans un lieu spécifiquement aménagé, permettant par là-même de combattre les sources de Burnout et de défendre la Vigueur. Il favorise l’épanouissement des soignants et la réduction du Burnout mettant tout de même en lumière un principe de précaution sur la charge physique et l’ergonomie de ce lieu à explorer / The aim of this research was twofold. Study the causes and consequences of Burnout caregivers, initially, and understand the effect of the presence of a garden in a hospital geriatric sector in a second time. Nurses and caregivers of nine geriatric services answered a questionnaire constructed from the theories and scales of Karasek and Theorell (1990), Siegrist (1996), Shirom (2004) and Kuorinka (1987). So, the Burnout is faced with psychosocial factors, the vigor (wellness) and physical pain to extract the causes and consequences of this psychological disorder. These same teams also participated in such conversations "focus groups" and semi-structured individual interviews to speak about their working conditions, as well as their experience and felt the presence or absence a arranged garden or undeveloped in their work environment. These care teams belonged to three types of geriatric services: cognitive behavioral unit, palliative care, rehabilitation care. The main results of the questionnaire involve lack of support from the hierarchy appearance as increasing the risk of Burnout. This result is confirmed by interviews. In addition, Burnout was a lesser incidence of Burnout in care services with a garden that those without a garden, and and there is also with an amplification of the benefit with specially-designed gardens. The feeling of strength, both physical and psychological, was less present when the care services did not have a therapeutic garden. A trend toward an increase in musculoskeletal disorders in services with a therapeutic garden versus no garden was observed. Upon analyzing the results, the authors recommend particular attention in the designing of hospital gardens in order to facilitate the ergonomics of nursing work. In conclusion, the overall results advocate the use of the garden as a systemic structure conducive to work interactions in a specially designed area by allowing the same to combat the sources of Burnout and defend Vigor. It encourages the development of nursing and reducing Burnout highlighting a precautionary principle on the physical load and ergonomics of this place to explore.

The study investigated the extent of burnout condition among counsellors in Kenya. The sources of burnout were explored and personality style was positively correlated with burnout development. Impact of burnout on counsellor wellness and productivity was also established. It examined whether counsellor supervision was an appropriate strategy in the management of counsellor burnout. The study utilized a pluralistic design that combined both qualitative and quantitative methods (Howard, 1983). The qualitative design permitted collection of rich data from study subjects' experiential and perceptual fields. This ensured study findings would be relevant and applicable to specific counsellor situations. The study population comprised 20 counsellors and 9 Kenya Counselling Association (KCA) accredited counsellor supervisors. The counsellor sample was drawn from 2 Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centres, 2 rehabilitation centres and 2 educational institutions. This diverse population was a helpful representation in terms of generalizability of the study. Three data collection instruments utilized were: Questionnaires, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The study's validity and reliability were ensured through the two sample populations (counsellor and counsellor supervisors), test re-test and pre-test procedures for questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Tallying identified items checked content validity. The study findings showed that burnout seriously affected practitioner effectiveness and led to malpractice and client harm. The study predictably established that supervision is an appropriate strategy in the management of counsellor burnout. The metaphor of motor vehicle maintenance was utilized in the development of the Holistic Burnout Supervision Model (HBSM) that focussed on wellness maintenance of the counsellor in a lifecycle. HBSM identified two levels in wellness maintenance: Preventative (servicing) and curative (repair). The study recommended that counselor - training institutions should incorporate in their curriculum burnout and supervision modules. This would create awareness about burnout and appropriate prevention strategies at counsellor formation stages. People care agencies should also institutionalize the burnout supervision facility in order to ensure counsellor resiliency and vitality. / Psychology / D. Phil (Psychology)