The relationship between Type A behavior, role stress, job enrichment and burnout among college counselors

Abstract

A study was performed to examine the relationship of Type A behavior pattern, role ambiguity, role conflict, role overload, job enrichment and burnout on a sample of college counselors from several southwestern states. Questionnaires were distributed to 223 college counselors in October, 1983. A total of 163 questionnaires were returned yielding a response rate of 73.1%. Of that total, 137 met the criteria set for inclusion in the data analysis. The variables under study were measured using the following indices: Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981). Type A behavior was measured using both the Framingham Type A scale (Haynes, Levine, Scotch, Feinleib & Kannel, 1978) and a scale developed by Ivancevich, Matteson and Preston (1982). Role stress was measured using the scales developed by Abdel-Halim (1978). Job enrichment was measured by using a combination of subscales of the Job Diagnostic Survey (Hackman & Oldham, 1974). The data were analyzed using a multiple regression analysis in the prediction of burnout. The correlation matrix showed that all predictor variables were significantly related to burnout in the expected directions. However, only the predictors Type A behavior, role ambiguity and job enrichment were independently significant when the other variables were held constant. Among the job enrichment variables, only task significance was a significant predictor when the other variables were held constant. None of the demographic variables had a significant impact upon burnout. Possible interactions between Type A behavior and the occupational stress variables were examined by calculating separate correlations for Type A and B groups. The results showed higher correlations for the Type B groups on the relationship between role ambiguity and burnout but no differences on the other correlations. Perhaps the most important finding was that the Type A groups scored higher on every index of perceived stress in the study. The results were discussed in terms of both the prevention and treatment of burnout and their relevance to future research.