Burnout in residential support workers: The impact of locus of control and perceived supervisor support

Child protection residential support workers experience physical and emotional workplace stressors that put them at high risk of experiencing burnout. Despite the demanding nature of residential support work, there has been limited research into the experience of Australian residential support workers and the factors that are linked to burnout in this environment. Johnson and Hall’s (1988) Job Demand-Control-Support model proposes that burnout occurs when individuals in high demand roles also have limited control and social support in their roles. The current study aimed to understand the relationship between locus of control and burnout, and perceptions of supervisor support and burnout in residential care environments. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 50 Australian residential support workers, recruited through two resident homes, social media, and an industry association e-mail list. This survey included the Work Locus of Control Scale, the Survey of Perceived Organisational Support, and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Data were analyzed using two separate hierarchical regression models. Findings indicated that a greater external locus of control was associated with higher work-related burnout. Additionally, a significant negative relationship was seen between perceived supervisor support and burnout. In developing practice, frameworks designed to prevent or reduce burnout, the impact of locus of control and perceptions of supervisor support should be considered. Further research is recommended to understand the complexity of these relationships along with other factors specific to residential support work that may also impact burnout.