An Investigation into the Occupational Burnout and Coping Mechanism of Out-of-Home Care Staff in Nigeria

Hannah Ajayi 1 Temitayo Ogunsanwo 2
1Institute of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University
2Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Kwara State University

Staff in the out-of-home care centres have the duty of ascertaining adequate care and protection that would aid optimal development of children in their care. They are therefore saddled with the responsibility of providing the required services. However, in the course of discharging the duty, certain characteristics such as their personal, job role and organizational characteristics might result in burnout for them. When this occurs, it may negatively impact on the well-being of the children in the centre. It is not certain whether the staff of out-of-home care centres in Nigeria experience occupational burnout. The study adopted a survey design. All out-of-home-care centres in Nigeria form the population. Sixty out of home care staff will be selected using random sampling technique. One instrument, entitled OHC Staff Occupational Burnout Scale. It has three sections – demographic section, occupational burnout indices and coping mechanism indices. Data will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Recommendations will be proffered for stakeholders. Study is still on-going.