How Motivation Correlates with Academic Burnout: Study Conducted in Undergraduate Medical Students

Abstract

Burnout is found among medical students as they become overwhelmed by stressors. On the other hand, students' motivation act as the force that maintains learning. This study aims to capture the association between motivation type and burnout in students. This cross-sectional study involved students across all year levels with a total of 1,036 students participated in the study. Data was collected using Academic Motivation Scale to determine type of motivation, and Maslach Burnout Inventory to measure burnout's components (emotional exhaustion, cynicism and perception of personal accomplishment). Correlations and multivariate analyses were conducted to discover associations between motivation, burnout components and performance. Significant negative correlations were found between motivation type and perception of personal accomplishment in preclinical year (PCY) 2 (r =-0.206; p = 0.004), clinical year (CY) 1 (r =-0.242; p = 0.000), and CY2 (r =-0.189; p = 0.012). In PCY1 the correlation was significantly positive (r = 0.061; p = 0.003), while in PCY3 no significant correlation was found. Negative correlations found indicate that the more external the motivation, the lower the perception of personal accomplishment. Motivation types correlates with perception of personal accomplishment as one of the subscales of burnout; showing perceptions' tendency to lowered as motivation becomes more external. This study highlights the importance of addressing students' motivation in preventing burnout. Efforts to strengthen intrinsic motivations may help develop better perceptions of personal accomplishment and protect students from burnout.

Exploring medical students’ professional identity formation through written reflections during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Medical students have been described as having heavy burdens in their studies, which may lead to burnout; 26 the likelihood of burnout is higher for students with less internal motivation. 27 The current epidemic presents a very uncertain situation to undergraduate medical students. The most prevalent question, which is difficult to respond to, was, “How long should these adaptations be in place?” Reflecting on the experiences shared in this study, most students in both preclinical and clinical years seemed to have adaptive coping mechanisms derived from both problemfocused strategies (e.g., adapting to a fully distance-learning approach, seeking peer support, and intensifying communication with course organizers) and emotion-focused strategies (e.g., positive reframing of what was happening, having closer interactions with family, and seeking spiritual support).…”

“…Medical students have been described as having heavy burdens in their studies, which may lead to burnout; 26 the likelihood of burnout is higher for students with less internal motivation. 27 The current epidemic presents a very uncertain situation to undergraduate medical students. The most prevalent question, which is difficult to respond to, was, "How long should these adaptations be in place?"…”

The roles of emotional intelligence, neuroticism, and academic stress on the relationship between psychological distress and burnout in medical students

“…The prevalence of burnout among medical students during medical training is high at approximately 43.3% [ 19 ], in which 35–45% of medical students had high emotional exhaustion, 26–38% experienced high depersonalization, and 45–56% had symptoms suggestive of burnout [ 17 ]. These facts demonstrate academic stress contributes to psychological distress and burnout, which may contribute to personal and professional consequences, for instance, increased rate of medical error, malpractice suits, and increased likelihood of physician suicide [ 19 – 21 ].…”

İntörn Hemşi̇releri̇n Koronovi̇rüs (Covid-19) Salginina İli̇şki̇n Algilari: Ni̇teli̇ksel Bi̇r Çalişma

“…Likewise, Felaza et al ( 2020) stated in their study that medical students strengthened their family ties during the pandemic process. [24] On the other hand, since carbon emissions in various parts of the world decreased, the atmosphere was cleaned, nature began to recover, and the pollution of the seas stopped. The deteriorated environmental balance has begun to be reestablished.…”