Burnout And Secondary Traumatic Stress In County Workers

Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) are problems experienced by employees in careers that help others deal with trauma (Kulkarni, Bell, & Hartman, 2013). Employers are concerned with the negative effects that are associated with burnout and STS. Employees experiencing burnout will often have decreased job satisfaction, engagement, and organizational commitment; as well as increased absenteeism and turnover (Maslach & Leiter, 2008). Similar effects are found in individuals experiencing STS symptoms. The participants of this study were county workers from two counties in Wisconsin. Participants were given a survey assessing burnout, STS, work-life balance, social support, and self-efficacy. It was hypothesized that the STS, work-life balance, social support, and self-efficacy would significantly predict burnout (H1, H2, H3, & H4), and burnout, work-life balance, social support, and self-efficacy would significantly predict STS (H5, H6, H7, & H8). Overall, it was found that burnout and secondary traumatic stress were positively related to each other. Low levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress were related to a decrease in conflict (work-life balance), and an increase in enrichment (work-life balance), social support and self-efficacy.