Chapter 8: The Predictive Value of the Job Demands-Resource Model for Elementary Principal Burnout

Several theoretical models have been proposed to explain the recently defined construct of professional burnout (Demerouti, Bakker, Nachreiner, & Schaufeli, 2001; Friedman, 1995a; Maslach, 1982). The purpose of this study was to test the job demands-resources model (JD-R) (Demerouti et al., 2001) with a sample of elementary principals and determine the predictive value of job demands, job resources, and the quality of relationships on burnout. Six hundred principals were selected using random sampling and 228 responded to a mailed questionnaire. Standard multiple regression was used to determine the predictive ability of the independent variables of job resources, job demands, and relationship quality on the dependent variable of burnout. Independent variables explained 25% of the variance in burnout. Both job resources and relationship quality had a statistically significant effect on predicting burnout. Qualitative responses in this study provided further insight into the pressures experienced by principals. Overall, find ings from this study support the JD-R model of burnout for elementary principals in regards to the component ofjob resources.