Staff Stress and Burnout in Intellectual Disability Services: Work Stress Theory and its Application

Background Staff in intellectual disability services can be at risk of stress and burnout at work. Given that staff well-being has implications for the quality of life of the staff themselves and people with intellectual disabilities themselves, this is an important research and practical topic. In this paper, we review work stress theories that have been applied within intellectual disability research. Method A search of the literature identified five stress theories that have been applied in intellectual disability research: person-environment, demand-support-control, cognitive-behavioural, emotional overload, and equity theory. Results Each of the five work stress theories is described and the extent to which data within intellectual disability research relates to these theories is explored. Some of the key theoretical constructs within these work stress models have been explored in intellectual disability research but frequently the underlying processes within work stress models have not been fully tested. Conclusion Partial exploration of work stress theories means that theoretical understanding of how best to explain work stress in intellectual disability staff is limited. Suggestions for future research are discussed, particularly concerning the relationship between empirical research and work stress theory.