Similarly, Goetz et al. (2015) reported that dissatisfaction with remuneration, inadequate resources, and limited
career advancement opportunities negatively affected the morale of healthcare workers. These findings suggest
that job satisfaction and burnout are deeply interconnected, requiring deliberate organizational attention to
improve both employee welfare and service quality. Burnout syndrome (BS) is a psychological condition
resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by emotional
exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). The WHO
(2019) identifies burnout as a syndrome resulting from prolonged stress, marked by exhaustion, cynicism, and
decreased professional efficacy. Globally, burnout among healthcare professionals has become a major concern
due to its impact on both employees and patient outcomes. Dyrbye et al. (2017) found that persistent work-
related stress among physicians and other healthcare workers can lead to emotional exhaustion, reduced job
satisfaction, and lower productivity. Similarly, Reith (2018) noted that burnout is linked to increased medical
errors and higher turnover rates among healthcare professionals. Li et al. (2024) further emphasize that burnout
compromises not only individual performance but also the quality of care and organizational stability. These
findings underscore the urgency of addressing burnout as a critical occupational health issue globally.
Regionally, healthcare professionals across Africa face even greater challenges that heighten the risk of burnout.
Limited staffing, resource shortages, and poor infrastructure continue to strain healthcare systems (Debes et al.,
2021). Oleribe et al. (2019) identified systemic challenges such as inadequate personnel (17.82%), inefficient
resource allocation (17.45%), and poor maintenance of healthcare infrastructure (10.18%) as major contributors
to work-related stress. In South Africa, Kgatle et al. (2023) found that 95% of healthcare personnel in a public
tertiary hospital experienced burnout, while Kabunga et al. (2024) reported that nearly 40% of healthcare
professionals in Uganda suffered high levels of burnout. These studies demonstrate that occupational stress and
burnout are widespread in African healthcare systems, often exacerbated by under-resourced environments and
limited institutional support. Consequently, the regional context highlights the urgent need for targeted
interventions to safeguard the mental health and motivation of healthcare personnel.
In Kenya, burnout among healthcare workers is a growing concern, particularly in large and specialized
institutions such as Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital (MNTRH). As the country’s principal
psychiatric referral and teaching hospital, Mathari provides mental health services to a vast and diverse
population, placing immense pressure on its workforce. The emotionally demanding nature of psychiatric care,
coupled with high patient volumes and resource constraints, has been linked to low job satisfaction and high
burnout levels among healthcare professionals (Wachira et al., 2020). These conditions can lead to emotional
exhaustion, reduced morale, and decreased quality of care. Given the critical role of MNTRH in Kenya’s mental
health system, it is essential to understand how job satisfaction and burnout interact among its healthcare workers
to inform effective organizational and policy interventions.
This study was anchored on two theoretical frameworks: Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory and Maslach’s
Multidimensional Model of Burnout. Herzberg, Mausner, and Snyderman (1959) proposed that job satisfaction
and dissatisfaction are influenced by distinct sets of factors. Motivator factors such as recognition, achievement,
and opportunities for advancement enhance satisfaction, whereas hygiene factors such as pay, supervision, and
working conditions prevent dissatisfaction (Herzberg, 1985). Herzberg’s theory suggests that improving hygiene
factors alone reduces dissatisfaction but does not necessarily increase satisfaction; true motivation arises from
the presence of motivators. Ewen et al. (1968) criticized the theory for its methodological weaknesses,
particularly in the way data were collected and interpreted. Ssesanga and Garrett (2005) further observed that
the application of Herzberg’s theory may vary across cultures, as factors influencing job satisfaction differ
depending on social and economic contexts. Despite these criticisms, the theory remains valuable in
understanding workplace satisfaction among healthcare personnel. Maslach’s Multidimensional Model of
Burnout, developed by Maslach and Jackson (1981), complements Herzberg’s theory by examining the
psychological and emotional dimensions of burnout. The model defines burnout as comprising emotional
exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. According to Maslach, Schaufeli, and
Leiter (2001), burnout develops when there is a mismatch between the individual and the workplace in areas
such as workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values. Halbesleben and Rathert (2008) further
Page 3735