Burnout syndrome: an exploratory study of professors

Abstract

The study investigated indicative signs of Burnout Syndrome in professors, as well as the coping strategies used to remain in labor activity. Forty-nine professors participated. The Burnout Characterization Scale and a questionnaire to obtain demographic data and identification of coping strategies were applied. Data were analyzed and presented in described statistics and logistic regression was used to verify the association between demographic variables and Burnout. The results show that about a quarter of the participants presented symptoms compatible with Burnout Syndrome. The dehumanization was the item with highest percentage of high level, reported by 30.6% of professors. Given the multifactorial nature of the Burnout Syndrome, it is important to understand labor and psychosocial factors that may be associated with the illness, since this can contribute to the integration of professors in interventions aimed at the welfare and quality of life at work.