A study on teachers' burnout in senior middle schools at Datian county, Fujian province, China

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to study the level of senior middle school teachers' burnout at Datian county, China and to compare the senior middle school teachers' burnout based on their personal factors. The research used both quantitative and qualitative methods. The researcher used questionnaires and in-depth interviews which were conducted to get more information. The population of this study was 636 teachers from senior middle schools at Datian County, China. The quantitative sample groups consisted of 300 teachers and the qualitative sample group consisted of six teachers who have experienced high level of burnout. The questionnaire was based on Maslach Burnout Inventory- Educators Questionnaire (Maslach et al, 1997). The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by Cronbach's Alpha, with a coefficient of .96. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, standard deviation and percentages. Inferential statistics analysis included t-test, one way ANOVA, Post Hoc Tests (Dunnett T3) and the content of in-depth interviews was analyzed. The hypotheses were tested using the confidence level of 0.05. The findings revealed that the overall level of senior middle school teachers burnout at Datian County, China was at the moderate level with the average mean score of 2.46. There was a statistically significant difference in senior middle school teachers' burnout based on age, working hours, working experience, and income, except gender. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended the local education authority to offer favorable benefit and salary systems, support each school recruiting more senior teachers based on the need, and improve the teacher promotion system. The researcher recommended the school principals to organize some seminars and invite elder teachers with rich teaching experience to share their experiences with other teachers. Further research was recommended to study teachers' burnout based on other factors, in other cities or other school levels.