Occupational Stress and Professional Burnout of University Teachers in South India

Background : Teachers especially working at university level are under a great deal of stress related to various occupational stressors. Occupational stressors contribute to organizational inefficiency, high staff turnover, absenteeism due to sickness, decreased quality, and quantity of practice, increased costs of health care, and decreased job satisfaction. When there is a prolonged experience of occupational stress, it leads to professional burnout. Aims : The purpose of the present study is to investigate the occupational stress and the professional burnout of university teachers. Methods : The locale of the study is Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh States of South India. The sample of the study is from 9 state universities selected through simple random sampling technique. A five point rating scales to assess the occupational stress and professional burnout of university teachers developed by the investigators was used. The data obtained through the rating scales were analyzed using the statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation and multiple regression. Findings : The results revealed that majority (74%) of the university teachers are experiencing moderate and high levels of occupational stress and 86 percent of teachers have professional burnout. Also, the analysis showed strong support for the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between the occupational stress and professional burnout of university teachers. 110 G. Lokanadha Reddy and R. Poornima Stepwise multiple regression analysis shows that the occupational stress has accounted 7.6 percent of variance to professional burnout. Conclusions : The prevention and management of workplace stress requires organizational level interventions, because it is the organization that creates the stress. Further, several stress management techniques such as emotional intelligence training, cognitive behavioral management techniques, social supportive systems, counseling services, yoga and sports activities should be introduced. Success in managing and preventing stress will depend on the culture in the organization. At university level, the culture of openness and understanding, rather than of criticism, is essential.