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Gendered pathways in school burnout among adolescents
Katariina Salmela-Aro1, Lotta Tynkkynen
1University of Helsinki, Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, PO Box 4, 00014 Helsinki, Finland. katariina.salmela-aro@helsinki.fi
Journal of Adolescence
|February 4, 2012
Summary
Student burnout differs by gender and academic track. Academic track boys experienced the largest increase in burnout, while girls on the academic track reported the highest levels.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Mental Health in Education
Background:
- Student burnout is a significant issue affecting academic performance and well-being.
- Understanding burnout's trajectory across educational transitions is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research indicates potential gender and educational track differences in burnout experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender, time status (pre- and post-transition), and educational track (academic vs. vocational) differences in student burnout.
- To analyze the three core components of burnout: exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy.
- To track changes in student burnout over the transition into secondary education.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 770 Finnish adolescents (mean age 16).
- Data collected at the start of final comprehensive school year and three times during secondary education.
- Burnout assessed using a validated definition including exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy.
Main Results:
- Boys on the academic track showed increased burnout (exhaustion, cynicism, inadequacy).
- Girls on the academic track reported increased burnout and inadequacy, with overall highest levels.
- Boys on the vocational track showed no change in burnout; girls on this track reported decreased cynicism.
Conclusions:
- Educational track and gender significantly influence student burnout trajectories.
- The academic track presents a higher risk for burnout, particularly for boys experiencing the greatest increase.
- Interventions should consider gender-specific and track-specific approaches to mitigate student burnout.
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