The relationship between emotional intelligence and burnout among postgraduate university students

M.A.Burnout has been researched extensively within the work context, however, burnout amongst the student population yielded a dearth of information. Burnout amongst students can be considered as a loss of motivation to engage in academic study (Mostert, Pienaar, Gauche & Jackson, 2007) and could place students’ academic futures in jeopardy (Struthers, Perry & Menec, 20030). More research in this field was required. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the level of burnout and emotional intelligence in a postgraduate university population. The study also aimed to assess whether any relationship existed between burnout and emotional intelligence. The sample consisted of 225 postgraduate participants from a large metropolitan university. Each participant completed a biographical questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire- Short Form. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey yielded three results. Professional efficacy yielded the highest mean score, emotional exhaustion the second highest mean score and cynicism obtained the lowest mean score. The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire- Short Form yielded a relatively high mean for emotional intelligence. The relationships between the scores on the measures of emotional intelligence and burnout were investigated by means of Pearson’s product-moment correlation. Significant correlations were found between the three dimensions of burnout and emotional intelligence. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between emotional intelligence and exhaustion (r = -0.257; p < 0.01). There was also a statistically significant negative correlation between emotional intelligence and cynicism (r = -0.366; p < 0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between professional efficacy and emotional intelligence (r = 0.428; p < 0.01). It appears as if the higher the level of emotional intelligence, the lower the levels of burnout specifically emotional exhaustion and cynicism. This study has implications for students who may suffer from burnout during their university studies. It allows individuals who are involved with students to recognise the huge impact that burnout may have on a student’s life; psychologically, physically, cognitively and behaviourally. This study also provides information on how levels of emotional intelligence can affect levels of burnout. Furthermore, an important aspect of emotional intelligence is that certain areas of emotional intelligence can be learned and increased. If students are taught to increase their levels of emotional intelligence, they may be able to manage stress more efficiently