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Background Staff working in residential aged care facilities face unique challenges and stressors in their workplaces which increase their risk for occupational burnout. Burnout in this workforce results in low job satisfaction, increased levels of absenteeism and poor retention rates. Given Australia’s ageing population and the demand for residential aged care staff, it is imperative to explore predictors of burnout in this cohort in order to help staff prevent and manage burnout. Methods This study examined the extent to which co-worker and supervisor support, self-confidence and adaptive coping skills predicted burnout among residential aged care staff, after controlling for staff demographics, organisational climate and work patterns. One hundred and thirty three residential aged care staff across Australia were surveyed using online questionnaires measuring levels of co-worker and supervisor support, self- confidence, adaptive coping skills and burnout. Results Regression analyses indicated that, overall, co-worker and supervisor support, self-confidence, and adaptive coping predicted each dimension of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment). After controlling for covariates and other predictors: confidence significantly predicted all three dimensions; support significantly predicted emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and adaptive coping significantly predicted emotional exhaustion. Conclusion These findings suggest that co-worker and supervisor support, self- confidence and adaptive coping skills need to be addressed to prevent and manage occupational burnout for residential aged care staff in Australia.

Background and Objectives: Staff working in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) face unique challenges and stressors in their workplaces which increase their risk for occupational burnout. Burnout in this workforce results in low job satisfaction, increased levels of absenteeism and poor retention rates. Given Australia’s ageing population and the demand for residential aged care (RAC) staff, it is imperative to explore predictors of burnout in this cohort in order to help staff prevent and manage burnout.Research Design and Methods: This study examined the extent to which support, confidence and adaptive coping skills predicted burnout among RAC staff, after controlling for staff demographics, organisational climate and work patterns. One hundred and thirty three RAC staff across Australia were surveyed using online questionnaires measuring levels of support, confidence, adaptive coping skills and burnout. Results: Regression analyses indicated that, overall, support, confidence, and adaptive coping predicted each dimension of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment). After controlling for covariates and other predictors: confidence significantly predicted all three dimensions; support significantly predicted emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and adaptive coping significantly predicted emotional exhaustion.Discussion and Implications: These findings suggest that support, confidence and adaptive coping skills need to be addressed to prevent and manage occupational burnout for RAC staff in Australia.

Background: Staff who are employed in residential aged care settings face a unique set of challenges and stressors in their workplaces which intensify their risks of occupational stress and burnout. Staff also experience low job satisfaction, increased sick time and absenteeism and high job turnover rates as a result of occupational burnout. As the population ages, there is an increased need for residential aged care (RAC) staff in Australia. It is both urgent and necessary to explore interventions that can prevent the likelihood of occupational burnout on RAC staff. A systematic review will be conducted on the effectiveness of interventions for preventing occupational burnout in RAC staff, with a view to determine the most effective type or types of intervention for such staff.Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions compared to inactive control intervention (usual care or practice) for preventing occupational burnout in RAC staff. Methods: This protocol was developed in accordance to the reporting standards of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). Included studies that meet the eligibility criteria will be identified by systematic searches of electronic databases. The PRISMA flowchart will also be utilised to record the selection process. Two reviewers will extract data and assess the quality of each study independently. The Standardised Mean Differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be utilised in order to combine different burnout measures or scales. Extracted studies which are sufficiently similar will be included for meta-analyses. The Cochrane risk of bias (RoB 2) tool will also be utilised in order to assess the methodological quality of randomised controlled trials.Results: Systematic searches will begin at the end of 2021. Data extraction will commence in early to mid-2022. Data analyses and writing will start in late 2022.Conclusions: Intervention studies from systematic searches of databases will be identified and recommendations will be made regarding the effectiveness of interventions for RAC staff.