Burnout, resilience, and subjective well-being among Portuguese lecturers' during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Castro, L (Author) ICBAS; Serrao, C (Author) Other; Rodrigues, AR (Author) Other; Marina, S (Author) Other; dos Santos, JPM (Author) FMUP; Amorim Lopes, TS (Author) Other; Miguel, C (Author) Other; Teixeira, A (Author) Other; Ivone Duarte (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Frontiers in Psychology

Vol. 14 No. Article 1065593

ISSN: 1664-1078

Publisher: Frontiers Media

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Z-RC8

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1271004

Abstract (EN): BackgroundLecturers face a large wide of occupational stressors. If the prolonged stress and the symptomatology associated with the working conditions to which lecturers were exposed were already a concern before the pandemic, the pandemic may have exacerbated this psychosocial vulnerability. Burnout is a psychological syndrome that develops in response to chronic work stress. This study aims to describe burnout amongst lecturers working in Portugal and to analyse potential determinants of burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire distributed via social networks. The survey collected sociodemographic and sleep patterns data in addition to applying the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (personal, work- and student-related burnout), the Resilience Scale, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale.ResultsThe sample included 331 lecturers from 35 different colleges and faculties. Three significant models explained personal (R2 = 54%), work- (R2 = 47%) and student- (R2 = 19%) related burnout. Lower levels of resilience and higher levels of depression and stress were significantly associated with personal and work-related burnout. Changes in sleep patterns were additionally associated with both personal and work-related burnout.ConclusionHigher education institutions must recognize the impact of the work environment and organizational culture on faculty mental health and take proactive measures to improve this environment. These institutions can implement support strategies such as educational technology training, professional development programmes, emotional support resources, and workload flexibility. Implementing measures to enhance lecturers' resilience and overall life satisfaction could potentially help mitigate burnout and improve the well-being of educators, ultimately contributing to the overall quality of education.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10