Occupational Differences in the Influence of Communication on Stress and Burnout in the Workplace

Abstract

This article reports on research that explored the experience of stress and burnout, and the influence of communicative variables on stress and burnout, in four distinct employee groups within a single organization. Research and theory reviewed suggest that distinctions in job characteristics and organizational subcultures should influence relationships among stressors, burnout, and communicative behaviors for different occupations. The research conducted bears this out. There were not large differences among employee groups in terms of levels of stress, burnout, and satisfaction, or in the relationships between stressors and burnout and between burnout and satisfaction. However, the role of communication in the burnout process varied in the different employee groups. Participation in decision making had a large impact on burnout for administrative employees and support from co-workers had a large effect on burnout for nursing employees.