Abstract

PADILLA M, Andrea C et al. Prevalence and Characteristics of Burnout Syndrome among Teachers of Three Public Schools in Bogotá (Colombia). rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2009, vol.38, n.1, pp.50-65. ISSN 0034-7450.

Introduction: Burnout syndrome is highly prevalent among health care professionals, but has only been partially studied in teachers. Objective: To determine the characteristics associated to burnout syndrome in teachers of three public schools in the city of Bogotá (Colombia). Method: Teachers were evaluated according to the Maslach Inventory for Burnout and a questionnaire designed to evaluate socio-demographic, personal and job-related factors. Results: 343 out of 367 questionnaires were completed, giving a response index of 93.4%. It was noted that burnout syndrome had a prevalence of 15.4% in teachers but it could actually rise to 29.7% if the fact is taken into account that two out of three domains of burnout syndrome were above the 30th percentile. 25.3% of the teachers had high emotional tiredness. The prevalence of burnout syndrome was lower in teachers over 55 years of age with 21 to 30 years of working experience, also in those who worked less hours a day and in those with high directive positions. It was also less frequent in married teachers and in those who have more children. Conclusion: Burnout syndrome is frequent in teachers and requires interventions in mental health in order to improve the teacher-student relationship.

Keywords : Professional burnout; faculty; depersonalization; mental fatigue.

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