Burnout in aged care workers: The impact of work-home conflict and patient aggression

Abstract

As populations around the world age, the demand for aged care services also increases. Because the success of aged care services depends on the interpersonal skills and psychological wellbeing of aged care workers, it is important to understand the psychological demands facing the individuals working in aged care. This study assessed the relative impact of work-home conflict and patient verbal and physical aggression on levels of burnout amongst aged care workers. An online questionnaire was completed by 161 Australian aged care workers and comprised of the Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey, Survey Work-Home Interaction – Nijmegen, and Violence and Aggression Healthcare Questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that: (1) verbal aggression by patients and work obligations on home life predict exhaustion, (2) work obligations on home life predict cynicism, and (3) levels of professional efficacy was positively associated with the number of children an aged care worker has. This study has important implications on three fronts: (1) to understand and better facilitate the psychological wellbeing of aged care workers, (2) to empirically inform human resource policies and practices to increase organisational performance, and (3) to ensure optimal care and safety of elderly clients accessing aged care services.

Reference

Nandan, C., MacDonald, J. B., & Wiener, K. K. K. (2021). Burnout in aged care workers: The impact of work-home conflict and patient aggression. Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress, 14–18 September. Online conference, Australia. (Paper)