Is the Path to Burnout and Turnover Paved by a Lack of Supervisory Support? A structural equations test

Abstract

Several studies have shown that low levels of supervisory support contribute to job burnout and turnover. We used structural equations modeling to test the hypotheses that low levels of supervisory support will have both direct and mediated effects on job burnout and turnover intentions of nurses working in a large New Zealand hospital. Specifically, we hypothesized that low supervisory support will have a direct effect on a) emotional exhaustion, b) depersonalization, and c) turnover intentions, and mediated effects on depersonalization and turnover intentions, transmitted through emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. The proposed theoretical model was supported by the data from 250 NZ nurses. The direct effect of low supervisory support on emotional exhaustion was -.18, on depersonalization -.15, and on turnover intentions -.30. The indirect effects of low supervisory support on depersonalization mediated through emotional exhaustion was .39 and .21 on turnover intentions. The mediated effects of depersonalization on turnover intentions was .27. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. Show more