Does Burnout Lead to Poor Organizational Commitment among Prison Officers in Sri Lanka?: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Burnout is a recognized risk factor for poor organizational commitment across occupational groups. This has not been explored among Sri Lankan prison officers previously. The aim of this article is to identify whether burnout was an associated risk factor for poor organizational commitment in this occupational group. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1803 prison correctional and rehabilitation officers in 32 prison institutions across the country. Multistage sampling was used. The "Organizational Commitments Questionnaire" was used following judgmental validation. Risk factors identified through literature were analyzed using bivariate analysis, followed by logistic regression analysis. Three-hundred and sixty-six participants (20.3%) had poor organizational commitment. Burnout was found significant in the bivariate analysis, and in the logistic regression analysis at P < 0.001 (odds ratio: 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.7-2.8). Burnout was an associated risk factor for poor organizational commitment in Sri Lankan prison officers. Interventions for employee burnout would contribute to improved organizational commitment.