The Influence of Communication Structure and Social Support on Job Stress and Burnout

Abstract

This study examined the relationship among structural communicative variables and perceptions of social support, stress, and burnout in a sample of elementary school teachers. Specifically, it was hypothesized that participation in decision making, network link strength, and link multiplexity would influence perceptions of supervisory (principal) and co-worker support. These perceptions, and workload, then influence burnout and job satisfaction. The results provide support for a model that (a) suggests a differentiation between relational depth and relational breadth in predicting perceived support, (b) highlights the importance of supportive communication in reducing role ambiguity, and (c) suggests that burnout has distinctive affective and exhaustion dimensions that should be considered in future research.