Teachers of socially maladjusted children and youth. Occupational burnout – sense of self-efficacy – teachers’ life optimism. A comparative study

Abstract

IntroductionThe psychological specificity of the occupation of teachers in youth fostering centres (Młodzieżowe Ośrodki Wychowawcze, MOW) and youth psychotherapy centres (Młodzieżowe Ośrodki Psychoterapii, MOS) is rarely explored in empirical studies. As indicated in the literature, working in resocialization facilities (such as MOWs or MOSs) requires more effort expended in contacts with students. Study results indicate that teachers at greater risk of experiencing aggression are also at a greater risk of occupational burnout.Material and methodsThe aim of the current study was to gather data on the intensity of occupational burnout among MOW/MOS teachers and public school teachers as well as to analyse the correlates and predictors of burnout. One hundred and sixty-nine people from two voivodeships in Poland took part in the study. The following measures were used in the study: the Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and the Link Burnout Questionnaire (LBQ).ResultsPsychophysical exhaustion and a sense of a lack of self-efficacy among teachers are related to their workplace conditions. Longer job experience had a significant influence on the intensity of the individual aspects of occupational burnout and sense of self-efficacy. The current study did not reveal a significant influence of life optimism.ConclusionsThe current study requires continuation, as detailed scientific analyses of this occupational group are still lacking. There is a need for further studies on the impact of occupational burnout on the effectiveness of teachers’ pedagogical interventions.

The effect of risk of contracting and fear of COVID-19 on burnout and job satisfaction in Polish teachers

“…Teachers are a professional group, which is especially at risk of professional burnout (see Sygit-Kowalkowska, 2023). Burnout is a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal and emotional stressors at work.…”

“…Li and Yu (2022) found in their meta-analysis that for many teachers in the West, work satisfaction deteriorated during COVID-19. The key to understanding the difference between those results may lie in the interplay between the perceived risk of COVID-19 contagion and Polish teachers' burnout degree (see also Sygit-Kowalkowska, 2023) -a relation that will be analysed in the current paper.…”