Sources and Adverse Effects of Burnout Among Academic Staff: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Job Burnout is a globally recognized problem. Burnout is experienced by
academicians once they are exposed to the cumulative negative effects of work
demands that exceed their available coping capacities. Burnout affects the
health and working performance of academicians, and ultimately diminishes
their productivity. Despite the widespread prevalence of Burnout, it has not
been mostly studied in teaching profession, particularly at university level. For
this reason, a systematic review of the literature was carried out to comprehend
the sources and adverse effects of burnout among academicians working in
universities. In this regard online data was located, assessed and summarized
from three databases, i.e. Taylor & Francis, Medline/PubMed and Science
Direct. A predetermined inclusion criterion and three step screening process
helped in selection of 54 studies out of total 11478 studies. The selected 54
studies were checked for quality. The results of this review have identified a
broad range of individual and organizational sources and adverse effects of
burnout among academicians. This review has also identified certain
moderating and mediating factors of burnout. The findings of current review
have confirmed the prevalence of burnout among academicians. The burnout
stricken universities are less productive since their academic staff suffer from
lower job satisfaction, poor performance, lower commitment and high turnover
intentions. Moreover, they suffer from physical and psychological health
problems. The problem of burnout should be managed at the individual and
institutional levels, both by the academicians, management of university and
policy makers in the higher education sector.