Social support and its effect on burnout in youth workers

Abstract

This research comes from a genuine need to address the reasons why youth workers sometimes leave or become dissatisfied with the youth service. In the local context, Maltese youth workers often work alone and unassisted. Due to their isolation burnout is posited as a possible cause of their loss from the service. Current studies into the relationship between individual and organizational characteristics that influence and prevent vocational burnout, cite social support as a significant moderator. The research sets out to identify burnout symptoms and social support systems relevant to Maltese youth workers. This study utilizes questionnaires, interviews and research instruments to identify autonomy, conflict, intimacy, self esteem and self worth. Perceptions of role congruence and ambiguity are investigated with supporting triangulation data from the youth workers Agencies. These themes which occur in current burnout literature, are developed as indicators of positive or negative social support and burnout. Results support the incidence of burnout symptoms in some Maltese youth workers, and the significant part that role issues, social support and self esteem play in mediating burnout. The findings are then used to generate discussion and recommendations to target specific support needs.