The Relationship between Burnout and Trait Emotional Intelligence among Secondary School Teachers in Malaysia

Nur Sakinah Thomas,Vahid Nimehchisalem,Seyedehhava Mousavy,Jayakaran Mukundan

doi:10.7575/ijalel.v.1n.4p.15

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between Burnout and Trait Emotional Intelligence (TEI) among 30 secondary school teachers in Malaysia. The participants were administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educator's Survey (MBI-ES) which breaks burnout into three subscales: Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and Personal Accomplishment (PA). The TEIQue-SF self report questionnaire was also used to elicit information on the respondents’ EI. Descriptive Statistics, including mean and standard deviation, was used to analyze the data. Pearson Correlation Analysis was also used to analyze the correlation between the teachers’ Burnout and TEI scores. Guilford’s (1973) Rule of Thumb was used to determine the strength of the relationship. The results showed significant correlation only between Depersonalization (DP) and TEI. Implications of the study are discussed, and suggestions are given for further research.

Highlights

1.1 Background of the studyJob burnout involves a long period of frustration with work, loss of motivation that lingers physical, mental and emotional exhaustion
In order to measure the relationship between Trait Emotional Intelligence (TEI) and the three subscales: Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and Personal Accomplishment (PA), Pearson correlation test was used
There was not sufficient evidence to support the hypothesis that the negative relationship between EE and TEI is statistically significant

Summary

Introduction

Job burnout involves a long period of frustration with work, loss of motivation that lingers physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. Herbert Freudenthal (1973), a psychologist, coined the term ‘burnout’. He mentioned that Job Burnout is a state of fatigue or frustration brought about by devotion to cause, way of life, or relationship that failed to produce the expected reward. According to Maslach and Pines, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment are the three dimensions of burnout (1984). The phenomenon of job burnout among English Language teachers in Malaysia has become an issue in primary level and secondary and tertiary levels.

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Conclusion