Prediction of the Risk of Emotional Burnout Among Secondary School Teachers

Abstract

The present study aims to identify the informative clinical and psychological variables for assessing the risk of emotional burnout syndrome among secondary school teachers. The relevance of the discussed issues is justified by statistical data of burnout among teachers and its consequences. Eighty-two teachers of secondary schools in Moscow, Chekhov and Saratov aged 21 to 66 years (average age of the group 46.81 ± 10.19) took part in the study. The diagnostic complex included methods for assessing the degree of emotional burnout; revealing the manifestations of stress; determining the features of emotional intelligence; analysis of empathic tendencies; self-assessment of the level of ontogenetic reflection; as well as determining indicators of a symptomatic response to stressful situations. The prognostic value of the indicators of the following questionnaires was revealed: Test for occupational stress, Symptomatic questionnaire SCL-90-R, Comprehensive assessment of manifestations of stress Yu.V. Shcherbatykh, D.V. Lyusin Emotional Intelligence Test, Self-assessment of the level of ontogenetic reflection. It was concluded that when assessing the psychological state of the teacher, it is necessary to pay attention to the indicators reflecting the symptomatology and intensity of experienced distress; emotional experiences corresponding to negative affective states. It is also necessary to take into account indicators reflecting the level of professional stress and the ability to analyze one’s past experience in terms of its success/failure. The combination of high scores on the scales “general index of severity of symptoms” and “self-assessment of the level of ontogenetic reflection” indicate the risk of developing burnout syndrome in teachers. In addition, the risk of emotional burnout can be talked about when, according to the results of psychodiagnostic examination, high scores are found on the scales “general index of severity of symptoms”, “occupational stress” and low scores on the scale “hostility”.