Mixed method study on the utility of conservation of resource model in explaining burnout among Indian teachers

• Main Author: Chettaniyil, Beena
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: Burn out (Psychology); Indian teachers; Counseling Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/253; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_doctoral/article/1252/viewcontent/CDTG004600_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study investigates the burnout phenomenon among Indian teachers using a sequential explanatory mixed method research design. Phase I, a survey of 362 school teachers from seven states of India examined the level of burnout in the sample population and significant predictors of three dimensions of burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and inefficacy. The participants expressed moderate levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization but a high level of personal accomplishment. Feelings of inadequacy, principal-teacher relationship, collegial conflict, and job overload are identified as significant work demands which predicted burnout. The most critical personality trait affecting burnout is conscientiousness and neuroticism. Among the seven proactive coping strategies the prominent predictors are proactive, reflective, preventive and emotional support seeking coping strategies. Fourteen teachers (seven high burnout and seven low burnout) teachers participated in the in-depth interview during phase II. A qualitative analysis of open-ended questions revealed that burnout is a psychological process which includes experiencing lack of resources, identification of demands as threats to resource loss, use of ineffective coping strategies to face these demands. A consequence of these processes is the experience of emotional fatigue, physical illness, emotional instability, negative attitude, and withdrawal. The study also showed that the COR model is very useful in explaining the burnout experience as perception of demands in terms of resource loss and resource gain. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of counseling practice and research.