ROLE CONFLICT AND ROLE AMBIGUITY AS PREDICTORS OF BURNOUT AMONG HOSPICE NURSES AND SOCIAL WORKERS (STRESS).
Contributors: University of Florida.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 123
Subjects: Health Sciences, Mental Health.; Psychology, Industrial.
Description: The purpose of this study was to analyze whether perceived role ambiguity and role conflict are useful as predictors of burnout among hospice nurses and hospice social workers.

Subjects in this study were nurses and social workers (counselors) employed by hospices which were members of the National Hospice Organization and which were licensed by their respective states. The sample included 162 nurses and 72 social workers for a total sample size of 234. Survey packets were distributed to the subjects by their respective hospices since data does not exist which would allow subjects working for hospices to be contacted individually. The survey packets included a (a) letter of introduction and instruction, (b) demographic inventory, (c) Maslach Burnout Inventory, (d) Role Questionnaire to measure perceived role ambiguity and role conflict, and an (e) addressed, stamped return envelope. The study was designed to ensure respondent anonymity.

Results were analyzed using analyses of variance and stepwise regression. The three subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (a) Emotional Exhaustion, (b) Depersonalization, and (c) Personal Accomplishment were used as dependent variables. There were significant relationships between role conflict and between role ambiguity and each of the three subscales. Role conflict and role ambiguity influenced each subscale in opposite directions: (a) as role conflict went up, Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization went down; (b) as role ambiguity went up, Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization went up; (c) as role conflict went up Personal Accomplishment (reversed) went up; and (d) as role ambiguity went up Personal Accomplishment (reversed) went down. There were no significant findings based on subject gender, race, age, years worked. Data did indicate that subjects in the study were experiencing moderate levels of burnout.

It was concluded that role ambiguity and role conflict do contribute at a significant level to burnout for hospice nurses and social workers, but do not serve as strong predictor factors. Recommendations for addressing role ambiguity and role conflict for hospice nurses and social workers and recommendations for further study were provided.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-11, Section: B, page: 6029.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, 1995.

School code: 0070.