The psychological phenomenon of burnout or engagement in the Indian Catholic clergy

In this era of great transition and upheaval, priestly ministry is faced with many challenges. As persons involved with helping people, priests are confronted with varied tasks (Sanford, 1982; Olsen and Grosch,1991; Muller, 1992; Evers & Tomic, 2003, Raj & Dean, 2005). The paradoxical reality is that while two priests can be working in the same type of work systems, one burns out while the other thrives. Hence if burnout out is predicted by job demands and lack of job resources then exclusively the available job resources can predict engagement (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990, Maslach & Lieter, 1997; Maslach, Schaufeli & Lieter, 2001; Bakker, Demerouti & Verbeke, 2004; Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004). In doing a review of research we find that two strong themes are apparent. One body of research insists that the problem of burnout is systemic (Maslach, 1997). The other body of literature suggests that the problem is within the person. (Freudenberger, 1980). However the very core determinants of expectations and religious attitudes has been paid little or no attention. Our study on clergy burnout and engagement will adopt an integrative approach and examine how the work-related factors, personal factors, expectations and religious factors are related to burnout or engagement among clergy. Based on the theoretical background and empirical research done thus far, our study on burnout and engagement among Indian Catholic pastors will focus on the five psychological variables that are expected to increase burnout or enhance engagement 1) job demands 2) job resources 3) personality traits 4) expectations and 5) religious attitudes. In connection with job demands, we will analyze quantitative and qualitative demands (work overload and emotional demands) and in reference to job resources feedback from parishioners, support from other priests, support from the authority, autonomy and skill utilization will be assessed. Furthermore, we will examine whether personality factors-lthe Big Five' personality traits, the unrealistic expectations of priests and the expectations of the parishioners, literal or symbolic religious beliefs and celibacy augment burnout or enhance engagement. The objectives of this study are fourfold: (1) to study whether high job demands and lack of job resources increase burnout and the availability of job resources enhances engagement in priests; (2) to analyze whether certain personality factors increase burnout or enhance engagement in priests (3) to assess whether unrealistic expectations of priests and expectations of the parishioners increase burnout or enhance engagement in priests (4) to investigate whether religious attitudes and celibacy increase burnout or enhance engagement in priests. Around 800 questionnaires would be distributed to Catholic priests in the southern part of India. The participants would be limited to diocesan priests engaged in pastoral ministry and other ministries like social service, which involve helping people. The start of the study is planned for mid January 2007 in India. We expect the data-collection to be completed by May 2007.status: publishe