Burnout and job satisfaction levels of staff in residential care institutions for individuals with disabilities and their reflections on care services: The case of Istanbul

One of the social service practices aimed at individuals with disabilities is institutional residential care services. The provision of a high-quality care service in residential care institutions for people with disabilities, in accordance with human rights, has made it important to investigate burnout and job satisfaction among social service workers. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of burnout and job satisfaction among all social service professionals working in residential care institutions for people with disabilities affiliated with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, and to examine the effect of burnout and job satisfaction levels on the care-related impact experienced by staff working in these institutions. The quantitative research method was employed in the study. The research model was designed as a relational survey model. The population of the study consisted of employees working in residential care institutions for individuals with disabilities affiliated with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services. Since the entire population was included in the study, a full enumeration was conducted. As a data collection technique, a questionnaire form consisting of four instruments was used. The questionnaire included nineteen questions to determine the socio-demographic and work-related characteristics of residential care institution employees, the Maslach Burnout Inventory to measure their burnout levels, the Hackman and Oldham Job Satisfaction Scale to assess their job satisfaction levels, and the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale to examine the impact of caregiving. The data were collected through the questionnaire between February 26, 2024, and May 24, 2024. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 statistical software package. As a result of the study, it was determined that the overall level of burnout among employees working in residential care institutions for individuals with disabilities was relatively low, their job satisfaction was at a moderate level, and they were negatively affected by caregiving. It was found that the level of emotional exhaustion negatively influenced the caregiving impact of residential care employees for individuals with disabilities, while the sense of personal accomplishment and the level of job satisfaction had a low but significant positive effect on their caregiving impact. It is considered beneficial to implement protective, preventive, developmental, and supportive interventions aimed at reducing emotional exhaustion and enhancing the sense of personal accomplishment and job satisfaction among social service professionals working in residential care institutions for individuals with disabilities, in order to promote positive caregiving experiences. Keywords: Staff in residential care ınstitutions for ındividuals with disabilities, Burnout, Job satisfaction, Status of being affected by care, Care burden.