Preventing burnout: the effects of LMX and mentoring on socialization, role stress, and burnout

Abstract

Abstract Halbesleben and Buckley's (2004) review of burnout research suggested a lingering need to examine the relationship between social support and burnout. We address that need by investigating Leader‐Member Exchange (LMX) and mentoring as sources of workplace social support. We used data from 422 employees in a health care setting to test three structural models investigating the direct and indirect effects of LMX, supervisory mentoring, and nonsupervisory mentoring on organizational socialization, role stress, and burnout. Results suggest that high‐LMX supervisors and nonsupervisory mentors serve as resources that minimize emotional exhaustion through increased socialization and decreased role stress. This study advances the literature on burnout by clarifying the effects of different types of social support in reducing burnout. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.