The relationship among communication network roles, job stress, and burnout in educational organizations

Abstract

This study examined the relationship among communication network roles, job stress, and burnout. Network roles were determined by frequent, multiplex, and reciprocal communication linkages. Based on their location in the informal network, subjects were assigned the communication role of isolate, dyad member, group member, or linker. Isolates reported significantly less stress and burnout than dyad members, group members, or linkers. Dyad members reported significantly less stress than group members and less burnout than linkers. Group members reported significantly less burnout than linkers. These findings, and their implications for understanding the communication‐job stress‐burnout process, are discussed.

Key concepts:

• Communication network roles
• job stress
• burnout
• communication linkages