The prevalence and correlates of burnout among Chinese preschool teachers

BACKGROUND: A series of studies have suggested that teachers are likely to experience professional burnout in various regions around the world. To date, no known research has been conducted to investigate the prevalence and correlates of burnout among preschool teachers in China. This study examined the level of self-reported burnout and correlates of burnout among Chinese preschool teachers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among1795 preschool teachers in Tianjin, China, during August 2018–October 2018. The validated Chinese version of the 15-item Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to assess burnout. A self-administered questionnaire collected the sociodemographic factors. The psychological factors were collected by the Chinese version of the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Perceived Stress Scale-14. RESULTS: The prevalence of burnout in Chinese preschool teachers was 53.2% (95% CI:51%─56%). Burnout rate was significantly decreased in overweight (P = 0.001, OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.42–0.79) and obesity (P = 0.048, OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.56–1.00) teachers compared with teachers with normal weight. The type of school (P = 0.007, OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.11–1.91), income satisfaction (P = 0.001, OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.53–0.86), depression (P < 0.001, OR = 3.08, 95% CI: 2.34–4.05) and perceived stress (P < 0.001, OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.13–1.18) were significantly associated with burnout. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of burnout among preschool teachers in Tianjin, China, is high. Burnout was significantly associated with BMI, the type of school, income satisfaction, depression and perceived stress among Chinese preschool teachers.