Abstract:
Correctional work is considered stressful and can cause mental health problems due to burnout. Some officers engage deeply in drug and substance abuse, murder, suicide, absenteeism, work negligence, desert duties and report late for work. Though rehabilitation is in place, inmates still engage in maladaptive behaviours while in custody and upon discharge. This study investigated the correlates of burnout and psychological work motivation among this population in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to establish the prevalence of burnout, examine work challenges and find out the relationship between burnout and job psychological motivation among correctional officers. A descriptive and correlational research design was used in this study. Quantitative method was used and the study was informed by Maslach Burnout Theory and Expectancy Theory of work motivation. The target population was 522 officers. Stratified random sampling technique was used for the four ranks sampled through proportionate sampling for representativeness; Yamane’s formula was used to reach a sample size of 156. Reliability of the instrument was measured through test retest and reliability index recorded as .90. Instruments which were used for measurement in this study were the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale. Data analysis of the first and second objectives was carried out using descriptive statistics while data on burnout and psychological job motivation was correlated using Pearson’s correlation moment. The study established prevalence of burnout in emotional exhaustion mean of 39.61, personal accomplishment (average = 35.81) and depersonalization (mean = 9.03). Work challenges were found to be administrative 79% and chronic work conditions 15%. The study found a fairly negative relationship between burnout and job psychological motivation among the officers. (r = -0.768; Sig. = .025). The study recommends that prison management should find ways to reduce burnout and increase job psychological motivation among correctional officers.
