Occupational Factors Associated With Burnout Among a Sample of 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicators in Washington State

Abstract

Introduction This study aimed to investigate occupational factors associated with burnout among a sample of 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators (PSTs). Methods An online survey measuring organizational factors (ie, perceived visibility and inclusion in the agency, respectful culture, leadership support, perceived gratitude, and coworker conflict); job characteristics (ie, work-life integration, overtime, salary satisfaction, and job meaningfulness); and burnout, demographic, and call center characteristics was emailed to a sample of PSTs. Analysis Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to characterize the sample and investigate relationships among variables. Results PSTs (N = 324) completed the survey. Multivariate analysis showed that poor work-life integration and coworker conflict were associated with greater PST burnout, while job meaningfulness and perceptions of greater visibility and inclusion were linked to decreased levels of burnout Conclusion Occupational factors were associated with burnout among PSTs.