Prevalence and associated factors of burnout syndrome among teachers of the public network: a population-based study

Abstract

Objectives: to identify the associated factors and the prevalence of burnout syndrome (BS) in primary and secondary public school teachers of a medium-sized municipality. Methods: cross-sectional analytical study conducted in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 2016. We collected sociodemographic and occupational data, and applied the Spanish Burnout Inventory [Cuestionário para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo]. The sample (n = 745) was probabilistic by clusters in a single stage. We used Hierarchical analysis with Poisson regression. Results: the general prevalence of BS was 13.8% (95% CI: 11.3-16.3%), with 9.0% having Profile 1 (BS without high levels of feelings of guilt) and 4.8% Profile 2 (severe BS). The most prevalent dimensions were “psychological exhaustion” (39.4%) and “enthusiasm towards job” (19.7%). The BS prevalence was higher among younger teachers (PR = 1.82), without children (PR = 1.45), job stability insured as civil servant (PR = 1.88), with job dissatisfaction (PR = 3.16), with a desire to change professions (PR = 2.94) and lack of support from the school managers (PR = 2.38). Conclusion: there is an urgent need to develop public policies to support teachers, since those identified with BS symptoms are in work activity, which worsens their health condition and, therefore, undermines the educational processes.