Social Structure, Burnout, and Job Satisfaction

Two hundred and seventy five randomly selected social workers who were practicing in Massachusetts in 1988 were studied to better understand burnout and job satisfaction. The findings from hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that perceived lack of autonomy and the influence of the funding sources are major contributors to burnout, and perceived autonomy and bureaucratization are major contributors to job satisfaction. The findings challenge the assumption that bureaucracy is the most efficient form of organization and question the ideological and social control functions of organizations. A focus on the effects of the organizational structure as it contributes to burnout and job satisfaction is suggested for policy, practice, and professional decisions.