Factors Contributing to Burnout Levels Among Public Sector Rehabilitation Counselors

Burnout has led to turnover and poor counselor performance within public sector rehabilitation. Scholarly literature on burnout among mental health counselors and school counselors are abundant. However, few researchers have compiled studies to evaluate burnout among rehabilitation counselors. No research could be found that examined the relationships among job demand, control, support, and burnout among public sector rehabilitation counselors. The Job Demand Control- Support (JDC-S) model indicates that stress from work is developed based on work demands, perceptions of control, and the perceived support that is received. The purpose of this research study was to determine the extent of the prediction, if any, between burnout and job demand, job control, and job support for public sector rehabilitation counselors. This study examined the following research question through a multiple linear regression: Job demand, job control, and job support (as measured by subscales of the Karasek and Theorell Job Content Questionnaire) predicts burnout (as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory) among public sector rehabilitation counselors. Instruments used in the study included the Job Content Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. An electronic questionnaire was sent to 1,000 certified rehabilitation counselors throughout the United States;197 were returned. The results of this study suggest that there is a likelihood of a lower risk of stress because of high autonomy on the job. Moreover, there was a significant prediction between burnout (as described by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) to job demand, job control, and job support. Results of the study may contribute to social change through increasing the wellness of counselors within the public rehabilitation counseling sector, which, in turn, could lead to improvement in the quality of services for clients