This study aimed to empirically verify the effect of job identity on job burnout among personal assistants for the disabled and to examine the moderating effect of social support in this relationship. The ultimate goal of this study is to explore prac...
This study aimed to empirically verify the effect of job identity on job burnout among personal assistants for the disabled and to examine the moderating effect of social support in this relationship. The ultimate goal of this study is to explore practical and policy measures to alleviate the high levels of job burnout experienced by personal assistants and to improve the quality of their services.
The study surveyed personal assistants for the disabled affiliated with relevant organizations (disability welfare centers, independent living centers, associations for the disabled, etc.) located in Seosan-si, Boryeong-si, Hongseong-gun, and Cheongyang-gun in Chungcheongnam-do. Out of 350 questionnaires distributed, 340 were retrieved. After excluding 56 incomplete or unreliable responses, a total of 284 valid responses were used for the final analysis. Data were analyzed using Jamovi (version 2.6.44) to perform frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, independent samples t-test, One-way ANOVA, multiple regression analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis.
The major findings of this study are summarized as follows:
First, regarding the descriptive statistics of the major variables, the mean score for job identity was high at 4.14, and social support was 3.90. However, the mean score for the dependent variable, job burnout, was 2.23, which is lower than the median (3 points), indicating that the overall level of job burnout among the subjects was not severe. Skewness (absolute values 0.051–1.055) and kurtosis (absolute values 0.037–2.734) indicated that all variables satisfied the assumption of normal distribution.
Second, t-tests and ANOVA were conducted to examine differences in major variables based on demographic characteristics. The results showed statistically significant differences in job identity, job burnout, and social support depending on gender, age, education level, motivation for employment, type of affiliated organization, and average monthly income.
Third, Pearson's correlation analysis revealed statistically significant correlations among all major variables: job identity, job burnout, and social support.
Fourth, multiple regression analysis confirmed that job identity has a statistically significant negative (-) effect on job burnout, even after controlling for demographic variables. Specifically, among the sub-factors of job identity, 'belief in public service' and 'sense of calling' showed significant negative effects on job burnout.
Fifth, hierarchical regression analysis verified that social support has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between job identity and job burnout. The interaction term showed a negative influence, confirming a buffering effect where higher levels of social support strengthen the positive impact of job identity in reducing job burnout.
A key finding of this study is that among the sub-factors of social support, only 'evaluative support' showed a significant moderating effect. This clearly demonstrates that specific 'recognition' and positive 'feedback' regarding their role and efforts as experts are more critical for managing burnout than vague comfort or empathy (emotional support). This implies that when personal assistants receive recognition for their hard work and expertise from colleagues, supervisors, and service users, the effect of job identity in preventing burnout is maximized.
Based on these findings, the study provides the following practical and policy suggestions:
Practical suggestions include: (1) Disability support organizations should develop and operate systematic programs to strengthen job identity. (2) Managers and supervisors must recognize the importance of 'evaluative support' and practice it actively. (3) Peer supervision and self-help groups should be activated to alleviate job stress arising from isolated working environments.
Policy suggestions include: (1) The government and local authorities should make policy efforts to improve social perception of personal assistants for the disabled. (2) It is urgent to improve working conditions and stabilize the employment environment by distributing standardized work manuals, raising wages realistically to compensate for labor value, and establishing institutional mechanisms for job security. (3) Periodic 'job stress and psychological healing programs' should be institutionally mandated for personal assistants exposed to high levels of emotional labor.
Despite the significance of this study, it has limitations such as the geographic restriction of the sample to parts of Chungcheongnam-do, the cross-sectional nature of the study which limits causal inference, and the exclusion of other psychological variables. Future research should expand the sample nationwide, employ longitudinal designs, and include additional variables such as self-efficacy and resilience for a more comprehensive understanding.