ECHOES FROM THE BACK-STAGES: EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION AS PREDICTOR OF JOB INVOLVEMENT AMONG RECENT THEATRE ARTS GRADUATES

Abstract

Feedback from the streets continues to filter in about negative experiences surrounding efforts by recent graduates of Theatre Arts from Nigerian universities, to secure work opportunities. This study examined the emotional exhaustion experienced by these graduates and how it influences job involvement in the same population in Southwest Nigeria. Cross-Sectional survey research utilizing an ex-post factor design was employed for this study. Three hundred and fifty recent Theatre Arts graduates in Southwest Nigerian metropole responded to Job Involvement Questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory. A simple linear regression analysis produced a statistically significant P-value of .002 and an adjusted R square (0.027) that shows that emotional exhaustion accounts for 2.7% of the total variation in job involvement. Age was also found to predict job involvement with age even accounting for 2.7% of the total variation in job involvement. Gender did not significantly determine job involvement among the sample surveyed, which was corroborated by existing literature. The results were discussed, and so were the implications of the study. Recommendations were also drawn.