An assessment of the prevalence of burnout syndrome and its general health effects among non-academic staff at Daystar university, kenya

Abstract

They concept of Burnout Syndrome has been discussed since the 1970s with its symptomology, at the time, identified as emotional exhaustion and cynicism among individuals who offer services. Burnout Syndrome is a concern worldwide and is prevalent among professionals having intense interactions and constant demands at work. The university non-academic staff are among employees affected by Burnout Syndrome because they provide helping services to university fraternity. On this basis, the purpose of this study to establish the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and how Burnout Syndrome is disaggregated across the social demographic factors among non-academic staff at the university. The study seeks to determine the relationship between Burnout Syndrome and general health amongst the non-academic staff at the University. The study was guided by The Maslach Burnout Theory and Conservation of Resource theory. A descriptive, correlational study research design was employed to guide the study. The target population of the study was 140 non-academic staff of Daystar University, at both the Athi River and Nairobi campuses. Quantitative data was collected using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in tables and charts. The findings show that the non-academic employees at Daystar University experience low prevalence of Burnout Syndrome (44.21+19.237, p=.0000) and the SDC characteristics found with statistically significant difference included age, educational level, work experience, and marital status (p<.0.05). Lastly, the researcher concludes that while there is low prevalence of psychological distress there is a statistically significant relationship between Burnout Syndrome and General Health among non-academic workers at Daystar University, Nairobi Kenya. It is hoped that the study may be significant to the non-academic staff at the university, in managing their work stressors and health. Policymakers including and not limited to the CUE, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection will find value in considering the results of this study as they review policies to support a work-life balance, the impact of non-traditional working hours, and other changes in the university landscape.