Occupational Burnout among Head Teachers in Nigeria: Consequences of Job Satisfaction and Workplace Commitment

Abstract

Previous studies focused more on the benefits of job satisfaction and workplace commitment for employees and the organization. Less attention has been devoted to the possible detrimental effects of job satisfaction and workplace commitment, especially on the employees. This study investigated the extent to which job satisfaction and workplace commitment are related with occupational burnout. The participants were 207 head teachers (116 males; 91 females). Their ages averaged 41.13 years (SD= 5.89) with a range of 32 to 54 years. They responded to measures of job satisfaction, workplace commitment, and occupational burnout. Results showed that job satisfaction significantly increased the extent to which head teachers experienced occupational burnout. Similarly, workplace commitment significantly predicted occupational burnout such that head teachers who were committed to their workplace tended to report occupational burnout. Finally, workplace commitment increased the level at which job satisfaction led to occupational burnout among head teachers. Implications for theory and practice were discussed.