Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between leadership behaviour and occupation burnout in the social care profession. The study was a between subject design with surveys which were completed by 82 social care professionals. The survey consisted of three subsections: 1) demographics questionnaire 2) Multifactor- Leadership Questionnaire, 3) Maslach Burnout Inventory- Human Services Survey. Correlational tests showed that scores for personal accomplishment were positively correlated with idealised influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individualised consideration and management by exception. Emotional exhaustion was positively related to idealised influence, inspirational motivation and individualised consideration. Depersonalisation was also significantly positively related to contingent reward. The results demonstrated a significant difference between score for males and females on the burnout subscale depersonalisation. Also social care professionals working for a statutory organisation have higher level of emotional exhaustion in comparison to those working in a voluntary organisation. Therefore a combination of leadership styles and demographics are predictive antecedents of burnout. Author keywords: Leadership, burnout
