Burnout Syndrome, Life Satisfaction, Self-Esteem and Optimism of University Professors During Remote Teaching

Abstract

This research intended to investigate characteristics of Burnout Syndrome, life satisfaction, self-esteem and optimism of university professors during remote teaching, brought about the pandemic caused by COVID-19. 98 teachers took part in the research, with ages between 31 and 64 years old (M=43.35; SD=7.98; 60.20% women) who answered the sociodemographic and technology use questionnaire, Burnout Characterization Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The results indicated the incidence of professors in courses related to the health field, and who carried out extra curricular activities, using different digital platforms. An increase in topics taught between school periods, followed by the perception of weekly hours of work, was observed. Regarding the instruments, self-esteem rates below average, optimism within the average rate, and life satisfaction above average were observed. As for Burnout, low levels were observed, with emphasis on the lack of personal gratification at work and emotional exhaustion. As for the correlation analyses, women had higher averages related to mental health and men had a higher average for Burnout, with a significant relationship between age and optimism, although no significant differences were found in mental health rates along the period of remote teaching. Limitations regarding the number of participants and the Burnout instrument used suggest that further studies must be carried out in order to provide a more accurate understanding of the mental health of university professors.