JOB BURNOUT AND PERSONAL LIFE INTERFERENCE WITH WORK AS PREDICTORS OF COUNTERPRODUCTIVE WORK BEHAVIOUR AMONG PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES IN AWKA CITY

Abstract

This study explored the impact of job burnout (comprising emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment) and personal life interference with work (PLIW) on counterproductive work behaviour (CWB) among private sector employees in Awka City. A total of one hundred and twenty-seven (127) private sector employees (53 males, and 74 females, mean age = 32.46yrs, SD = 5.69) participated in study. Three instruments were used for data collection namely: Maslach burnout inventory, personal life interference with work subscale and counterproductive work behaviour scale. The hypotheses were tested using hierarchical multiple regression analysis with stepwise modeling.  The results revealed that emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation both significantly and positively predicted CWB. Furthermore, RPA failed to significantly predict CWB. In addition, PLIW was also found to be a significant positive predictor of CWB. The findings of the study underscore the significance of implementing stress management programs and resilience training to reduce experiences of burnout among private sector employees, and also promoting policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible work arrangements and employee assistance programs to help reduce the impact of burnout and PLIW on CWB. Limitations of the study were pointed out and future research directions proposed.