The relationship between work demands, work-to-family conflict and burnout among civil servants in Penang

Abstract

This study investigates the direct effect of work demands on burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment), and mediator effect of work-family conflict on the relationship between work demands and burnout. Work demands was assessed by the Job Content Questionnaire, work-family conflict was assessed by the Work-Family Conflict Scale while burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey. The measurements were administered to 150 civil servants in Penang. The findings from this study indicate that work demands and work-family conflict were positively associated with burnout (both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization). Work demands were also found to be positively associated with work-family conflict. The results also show that work-family conflict mediated the relationship between work demands and burnout. However, this mediation effect was only found for the relationship between work demands and emotional exhaustion, and between work demands and depersonalization. No mediator role of work-family conflict was found in the relationship between work demands and personal accomplishment. It is recommended that organizations find ways to implement appropriate intervention to assist civil servants, especially in creating coping strategies in work-family conflict as a means to reduce burnout and improve employees` well-being.