Exploring the Relationship of Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and Leadership Affinity Among BCBAs in Midwestern Autism Treatment Centers: A Correlational Study

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EdD)

Committee Chair

Valerie Storey

Committee Member

Bethany Poore

Committee Member

Steve Hess

Abstract

The field of Applied Behavior Analysis has extensively examined Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) burnout and job satisfaction. However, the relationships between burnout, job satisfaction, and perceived transformational leadership among those overseeing BCBAs remain unexplored despite their critical importance. This correlational study explored these relationships among BCBAs working in midwestern autism treatment centers. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from 47 participants through the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and then analyzed using SPSS software with descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and linear regression. The theoretical framework, which includes transformational leadership theory, Maslach’s burnout theory, and Herzberg’s two-factor theory, posits that transformational leadership would strongly correlate with both burnout and job satisfaction. Findings revealed that two components of transformational leadership, intellectual stimulation and inspirational motivation, were significantly related to burnout and job satisfaction, while other components showed weaker or no effects. Neither BCBA age nor certification longevity acted as mediating variables, providing new insights into how leadership influences burnout and job satisfaction. This study offers valuable implications findings for leadership development strategies and future research, addressing a significant gap in behavior analysis literature.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS