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Burnout and engagement in a South African university student sample : a psychometric analysis / Carina Gauché

In recent years, the concept of burnout has been expanded and is currently a concern in all
professions and occupational groups. Nowadays it is widely acknowledged that people in
almost any occupation could develop burnout. To-date, only two studies have examined
students' experiences of burnout. Therefore, research regarding this phenomenon in students
seems warranted. The objective of this study was to firstly investigate the psychometric
properties of adapted versions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Utrecht Work
Engagement Scale in a sample of students from a tertiary institution, and secondly to consider
the role of biographical variables in relation to burnout and engagement levels.
A cross-sectional survey design was used to attain the research objectives. For the purposes
of this study, an availability sample of students (N=353) majoring in Organisational
Behaviour was drawn at one point in time. The adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory - Student
Survey (MBI-SS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - Student Survey (UWES-S) as
well as a biographical questionnaire were administered.
Structural equation modelling confirmed two-factor models of Burnout (consisting of
Exhaustion and Cynicism) and Engagement (consisting of Vigour and Dedication).
Biographical variables which appear to be predictive of differences in levels of student
burnout are home language, overall health status and consideration given to quitting their
studies, while engagement is related to home language, academic year of study and
consideration given to quitting studies.
Recommendations for future research were also made / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/1077
Date January 2006
CreatorsGauche, Carina
PublisherNorth-West University
Source SetsNorth-West University
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis

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