Abstract
M.A.
Burnout has been researched extensively within the work context, however, burnout
amongst the student population yielded a dearth of information. Burnout amongst
students can be considered as a loss of motivation to engage in academic study
(Mostert, Pienaar, Gauche & Jackson, 2007) and could place students’ academic
futures in jeopardy (Struthers, Perry & Menec, 20030). More research in this field was
required.
The purpose of this study was to ascertain the level of burnout and emotional
intelligence in a postgraduate university population. The study also aimed to assess
whether any relationship existed between burnout and emotional intelligence. The
sample consisted of 225 postgraduate participants from a large metropolitan university.
Each participant completed a biographical questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout
Inventory-Student Survey and the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire- Short
Form.
The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey yielded three results. Professional
efficacy yielded the highest mean score, emotional exhaustion the second highest mean
score and cynicism obtained the lowest mean score. The Trait Emotional Intelligence
Questionnaire- Short Form yielded a relatively high mean for emotional intelligence.
The relationships between the scores on the measures of emotional intelligence and
burnout were investigated by means of Pearson’s product-moment correlation.
Significant correlations were found between the three dimensions of burnout and
emotional intelligence. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between
emotional intelligence and exhaustion (r = -0.257; p < 0.01). There was also a
statistically significant negative correlation between emotional intelligence and cynicism
(r = -0.366; p < 0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between professional
efficacy and emotional intelligence (r = 0.428; p < 0.01). It appears as if the higher the
level of emotional intelligence, the lower the levels of burnout specifically emotional
exhaustion and cynicism.
This study has implications for students who may suffer from burnout during their
university studies. It allows individuals who are involved with students to recognise the
huge impact that burnout may have on a student’s life; psychologically, physically,
cognitively and behaviourally. This study also provides information on how levels of
emotional intelligence can affect levels of burnout. Furthermore, an important aspect of
emotional intelligence is that certain areas of emotional intelligence can be learned and
increased. If students are taught to increase their levels of emotional intelligence, they
may be able to manage stress more efficiently.