Teacher profiles based on burnout symptoms: Differences between educational stages and relationship with adaptive psychological functioning

Abstract

On the premise that burnout is a heterogeneous phenomenon in terms of the symptoms people experience, a growing number of studies in recent years have aimed to identify symptomatic profiles of burnout in teachers. The present study analyzes possible differences in the make-up of profiles of burnout symptoms in teachers working in initial and middle educational stages, as well as teachers working in both stages at the same time. It also seeks to determine whether those profiles differ in terms of adaptive psychological functioning (flourishing, self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience). From a sample of 1,290 teachers (M_age = 43.04, SD = 13.13, 73.7% women), two profiles were found (with and without burnout) in early and middle school teachers, and four profiles in teachers who work in both stages (three profiles of burnout symptoms). Those with profiles of burnout symptoms exhibited significantly poorer psychological functioning. These findings allow to identify those teachers who, due to their burnout symptoms, need priority attention in order to reinforce their positive organizational behavior.