Burnout can affect many individuals including college students
Burnout can affect many individuals including college students. It has also been found out that it is one of the large contributors to the loss of interest on students when it comes their academic studies. Most of the people think burnout is only for employees. In students, similar work-related burnout conditions were identified which are high course loads, study requirements, and grades, as well as lack of social support. (Aliveya, 2018). Burnout also reflects a relationship of hostility between the person and his/her job, the opposite of which is engagement, a relationship and acceptance (Schaufeli, Martinez, Pinto, Salanova & Bakker, 2002). Initially, only those individuals who worked with other individuals were also considered to suffer burnout but as of now the concept of burnout also includes academic life. It pertains to different student activities such as attending classes, submitting projects and assignment, meeting the deadlines and studying for long hours (Law, 2007).
Academic burnout includes different dimensions which are exhaustion and disengagement as define by Bakker and his colleagues (2010). On the other hand, engagement was characterized by energy of an individual (Maslach & Leiter, 1997). Students’ burnout can lead to a higher possibility of absenteeism, lack of motivation to do school works, higher chance of dropping out that will give a negative effect on academic performance (Yang, 2004). Research also shows that student burnout and engagement could be a basis on how well a student can function in their future working environment and the achievement strategies they have used during academic life enables to predict work burnout and engagement in their future career (Salmela-Aro, Tolvanen ; Numri, 2009).
This study purports to highlights the associations between burnout, engagement and academic performance of the college students in a school or university. It will also provide awareness for everyone, especially to students and professors to work on handling their stress and balance it with a positive thinking that will lead to a successful academic life.
Background of the Study
Students play an important role in the society and the progress of it depends on them. Similarly, they are mainly the contributors in the success of the society. However, nowadays students are already experiencing different kinds of problems that affect their academic activities and performance, one of it is burnout. Burnout is described as “a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by long term involvement in conditions that emotionally demanding” (Pines ; Anderson, 1988). Since 1970’s, burnout was already identified as an indicator of stress (Maslach, Schaufeli, & Leiter, 2001). The two dimension of burnout were identified as follows: Exhaustion is as a consequence of intense physical, affective and cognitive strain as a long-term consequence of prolonged exposure to certain job demands (Aronson, Pines & Kafry, 1983; Shirom, 1989) While disengagement refers to distancing oneself from one’s work in general, work object and content or something that is not only uninteresting but also disgusting (Demerouti ; Bakker, 2008).
Researches basically describe engagement in many ways, it is by having a positive outlook about education, sense of belonging to the school environment and also has a good and positive relationship with the faculty and fellow schoolmates, attending classes regularly, actively joining extra-curricular activities, spending extra time on school work and being able to voice one’s views in class (Mengi, 2011). School engagement is highly important for completing one’s education and being able to have a satisfying academic performance (Hirschfield ; Gasper, 2011).
Setting of the Study
The study was conducted in Centro Escolar University, Manila. It was a private university in Manila, Philippines. It was founded on June 3, 1907 by two women, Librada Avelino and Carmen De Luna for the instruction and training of the youth in all branches of arts and sciences. It was originally called Centro Escolar de Senoritas until it became a university in 1933.
The study was conducted in The School of Science and Technology. It was established on 1928 which offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biology, Psychology and Cosmetic Science which was conceptualized by Dr. Zenaida Austria. BS Cosmetic Science is the first in the Philippines and in Asia. The School of Science and Technology was handled by Dean Dr. Julieta C. Dungca.
Figure 1.1 Map of Manila
Figure 2.1 Map of Centro Escolar University
Conceptual Framework
The relationship that students have in their academic study can be distinguished between burnout and engagement. According to Bakker, Demerouti and Verbeke (2004) burnout has two core dimensions which are Exhaustion and Disengagement. They did not include the third one which is the efficacy because it is because it is not a core dimension of burnout but a possible consequence of burnout. While Engagement has three dimensions which are Vigor, Dedication iand Absorption.
Based on the terms that were mentioned above, an engaged students are those who feels vigor, dedicated and adapted with their academic performance. On the other hand, a student who feels exhausted and disengagement leads them to burnout. Engagement represents as a goal for any burnout interventions to avoid having a negative effect on their academic performance (Maslach; Leiter, 2008).
Figure 3.1 Paradigm of the Study
Statement of the Problem
This study intends to know the levels of Engagement and Burnout and its relation to the Academic Performance of the Students of the School of Science and Technology
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1) What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:
1.1 Age
1.2 Gender
1.3 Course
1.4 Year Level
2) What are student’s characteristics in the following domains of Engagement:
2.1 Vigor
2.2 Dedication
2.3 Absorption
3) What are the student’s characteristics in the following domains of Burnout:
3.1 Exhaustion
3.2 Disengagement
4) What is the relationship of engagement and burnout to Academic Performance in
terms of the following respondents of Science and Technology Students:
4.1 College Students
Assumptions of the Study
The research was anchored with the assumption that there was an association between burnout and learning engagement relating to the academic performance of the students in the university. The participants should also be honest in answering the questionnaire and on giving their data.
Hypothesis of the Study
This hypothesis was derived from the problem under study:
H0: There is no significant difference in the engagement and burnout levels relating to academic performance among students in different levels of the School of Science and Technology.
H1: There is a significant difference in the engagement and burnout levels relating to academic performance among students in different levels of the School of Science and Technology.
Significance of the Study
Nowadays, there are number of students who are having difficulty with their academic life. Thus, this study will help them to know their capabilities as a student whether on a positive or negative way. Not all students are experiencing the same extent of burnout or engagement in school activities particularly in Centro Escolar University. Hence, this study could help the students, parents, professors and the University itself.
This study also focuses on giving awareness to everyone. It is to lessen experiencing burnout and manage it by having a positive relationship with people around them and to the things that they are doing.
Scope, Delimitations, Limitations of the Study
This study is concerned with the relationship of burnout and learning engagement relating to the academic performance of the college students from School of Science and Technology. It will be conducted through survey with the used of standardized test questionnaires. Notably, this study will not focus on any other college students coming from different department and universities; it would not also consider any other variables to assess the chosen participants.
Definition of Terms
Absorption – it is characterized as being fully determined and focused on one’s work
Academic Performance – it is an extent to which a student has achieved.
Awareness – a knowledge or perception of a situation
Burnout – a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by long term involvement in conditions that emotionally demanding.
Dedication – it refers to the inspiration and pride of one’s work
Disengagement – it refers to distancing oneself from one’s work in general, work object and work content
Exhaustion – it refers to a person’s levels of emotional and physical resources
Learning Engagement – it is having a positive outlook about education
Vigor – a representation of energy, willingness and persistence
