Effect of rational-emotive adult education intervention on burnout symptoms among primary school teachers in Southeast Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a rational-emotive adult education intervention (REAEI) on burnout symptoms among primary school teachers in Southeast Nigeria. METHODS: Primary school teachers with burnout symptoms were randomised to treatment or control condition. Treatment was a 16-week REAEI programme delivered in 32 group therapeutic sessions. The Teachers’ Burnout Inventory (TBI) score was recorded before and after therapy and at a three-month follow-up. RESULTS: Overall, 27% (86/320) of the sample of primary school teachers had burnout symptoms. TBI scores were statistically significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the control group both after therapy and at the three- month follow up. CONCLUSION: In this sample of primary school teachers, burnout symptoms were alleviated by use of a REAEI program.