Burnout in university students and relationship with self-concept and academic performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2024.10.1.319Keywords:
Academic Burnout, Academic Performance, Self-concept, University Students, Cross-sectional StudyAbstract
Background: With the increasing prevalence of academic burnout among university students, it becomes essential to deepen the understanding of this phenomenon in demanding educational contexts, aiming to improve signaling and intervention. Objective: To investigate the levels of burnout among university students and their relationships with sociodemographic and academic variables, and to examine the impact of burnout and self-concept on academic performance in a Portuguese sample. Methods: A total of 1122 Portuguese university students participated, aged between 17 and 65 years (M = 23.59), mostly female (n = 850; 75.8%). An Academic-sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Self-Description Questionnaire III, and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory – Student Version were used. Results: Low levels of burnout predominated. Female students reported lower levels of burnout and superior academic performance compared to men. Although a decrease in burnout was observed with the advancement in academic years (r = -.13; p < .01), an increase was noted with age progression (r = 0.22; p < .01). More demanding areas such as Mathematics and Statistics showed higher levels of emotional exhaustion. A positive self-concept was associated with lower levels of burnout. Emotional Exhaustion (β = 0.10; p < .01), Emotional Disengagement (β = 0.21; p < .001), and Academic Self-Concept (β = -0.52; p < .001) were significant predictors of academic performance. Conclusions: Burnout and self-concept predict academic performance, underscoring the need for targeted interventions that strengthen self-concept and mitigate burnout to promote a healthier academic environment.Downloads
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