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Based on conservation of resources (COR) theory, the present study, composed of 50 human services counselors, provided an empirical test among Maslach's three dimensions of burnout, psychological well-being, organizational commitment and job performance. Bivariale relations were established among psychological well-being, organizational commitment, and job burnout. In addition, psychological well-being and emotional exhaustion, but not depersonalization, diminished personal accomplishment and organizational commitment, were related to composite job performance. Finally, hierarchical regression analysis clearly established the unique contribution of psychological well-being in the prediction of each of the job burnout dimensions. The implications and future research directions of an expanded role of COR theory in organizational research are presented.
Seek not, my soul, the life of the immortals; but enjoy to the full the resources that are within thy reach. ~ Pindar, Pythian Odes, III, 1. 109.
INTRODUCTION
Employee burnout is a topic of major interest for management researchers because it has consequential implications for both individuals and organizations (Cropanzano, Rupp, & Byrne, 2002; Lee & Ashforth, 1993a, 1996; Zohar, 1997). From the individual perspective, burnout is related to a myriad of health-related issues, including decreased self-esteem, anxiety, depression, gastro-intestinal problems, headaches, sleep disturbances, diminished psychological well-being, cholesterol and triglyceride levels (Cordes & Dougherty, 1993; Kahill, 1988; Maslach, 1982; Maslach, 1993; Shirom, Westman, Shamai, & Carel, 1997; Wright & Bonett, 1997a). From the organizational perspective, burnout is linked with intention to turnover, decreased levels of employee commitment, and job dissatisfaction (Jackson, Schwab, & Schuler, 1986; Leiter & Maslach, 1988; Wolpin, Burke, & Greenglass, 1991).
Regarding behavioral correlates, preliminary research indicates that one dimension of burnout, emotional exhaustion, may be negatively related to job performance (Wright & Bonett, 1997b; Wright & Cropanzano, 1998). However, relations have yet to be established between the two other burnout dimensions, depersonalization and diminished personal accomplishment, and job performance. Using conservation of resources (COR) theory as the theoretical framework (Hobfoll, 1988, 1989, 1998; Lee & Ashforth, 1996), the present study was designed to extend prior research and provide an empirical test among each of Maslach's three dimensions of burnout, psychological well-being, organizational commitment and job performance.
The Burnout Construct
Maslach and Jackson (1986, p. 1) defined burnout as "a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, dcpcrsonalization and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur...
