Role Stress, Burnout, and Workplace Support Among Newly Recruited Social Workers

Purpose: This study examines the mediation and moderation roles of workplace support in the effect of role stress on burnout among newly recruited social workers in mainland China. Method: A total of 1,638 newly recruited social workers, those in their first year of professional employment, are invited as participants to complete a questionnaire package, which includes their demographic information, role stress, workplace support, and Maslach’s Burnout Inventory. Results: Role stress significantly correlates with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment of burnout. Workplace support moderates the effects of role stress on three syndromes of burnout. In addition, role stress can lead to burnout by reducing perceptions of workplace support. Conclusions: Workplace support is important in buffering the effect of role stress on burnout. Results suggest interventions on improving workplace support to alleviate role stress and burnout of new social workers would be beneficial.