Psychosocial work environment and burnout among employees of a Ghanaian Public University.

The psychosocial climate of universities becomes very important because of the increasing student enrolment, academic administrative duties, the quest for promotion, the fast-changing
mode of lesson delivery, all leading to work overload. This study
aims to examine the influence of psychosocial factors on burnout
of employees of a public university in Ghana. A survey measuring
burnout and psychosocial work characteristics with the Maslach
Burnout Inventory – Educators Survey (MBI-ES) and job demands –
Swedish Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire (DCSQ) was
completed by 1,222 employees. We developed structural models
that suggested that the elements of burnout – emotional weariness, personal accomplishment, and depersonalization – are positively impacted by job demands, social support, job decision
freedom, harassment, and discrimination. The results further indicated that job demands, job decision latitude, social support, and
harassment have significant effect on emotional exhaustion of the
workers. Again, job decision latitude and discrimination significantly influenced depersonalization of the workers. In addition,
job demands, job decision latitude, social support, and discrimination affected personal accomplishment. However, there was no
statistically significant influence of discrimination on emotional
exhaustion, job demand and depersonalization, social support
and depersonalization, harassment and depersonalization, and
harassment and diminished personal accomplishment. We conclude that by implementing practical interventions, such as regular training on how to reduce job demands, either physical or
psychological, and enhancing social support and job control,
burnout among the employees can be improved for improved
health and quality teaching.