Burnout and Life Satisfaction among Head Load Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Poomangalam Grama Panchayat, Kerala
Abstract: Head load workers constitute an important segment of Kerala's informal and physically demanding labour force. Their work is characterized by manual handling of goods, uncertain work arrangements, long working hours and limited access to employment-linked benefits, circumstances that may influence both occupational well-being and overall satisfaction with life. The present study examined burnout and life satisfaction among head load workers in Poomangalam Grama Panchayat, Thrissur District, Kerala. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted. Sixty head load workers were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a self-constructed questionnaire for socio-demographic characteristics and views on government interventions, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the 16-item Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's product-moment correlation. The study found that most respondents were married, a substantial proportion reported monthly incomes between Rs.20,000 and Rs.25,000, and the great majority worked 8-12 hours per day. Although respondents reported selected indicators of fatigue and the need for recovery after work, the overall findings of the dissertation indicated that most were not highly affected by burnout and most were satisfied with their lives. Burnout and life satisfaction showed a negligible negative and statistically non-significant relationship (r= -0.060, p = .647, n = 60). Respondents nevertheless expressed substantial unmet welfare needs: 95% sought greater government intervention, 80% were dissatisfied with government bonus/advance provisions, 63.3% were dissatisfied with their income, and 93.3% reported not receiving government medical insurance. The findings suggest that occupational burnout and global life satisfaction may not necessarily move together in this workforce, while economic security, health protection and welfare coverage remain important areas for policy and social-work intervention.
Keywords: burnout; life satisfaction; head load workers; informal labour; occupational well-being; Kerala; social security
How to Cite?: Sumitha Pankaj, "Burnout and Life Satisfaction among Head Load Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Poomangalam Grama Panchayat, Kerala", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 931-936, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261014191811, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261014191811