Participatory work design intervention in a disability support organization: effects on job demands, social support, and burnout

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a participatory work design intervention to improve job quality and mental well-being in a disability support organization. We investigate whether the intervention is associated with changes in burnout (i.e. disengagement, work-related, client-related), and we assess the changes in work design through which the intervention has its effects. We hypothesized that the effects of the work design intervention on burnout occur via changes in social support (i.e. co-worker instrumental and emotional support) and job demands (i.e. role conflict, time pressure). 72 participants were involved (N = 21 in the intervention group, 66.7% female; N = 51 in the non-intervention group, 82.4% female). The intervention was associated with lower job demands, higher co-worker instrumental support, and lower burnout disengagement. Multilevel analyses revealed that changes in job demands, rather than changes in support, appeared to account for the changes in burnout disengagement. The results highlight how, in the challenging context of disability care, participatory work redesign can reduce burnout disengagement through changes to job demands.