Intervention for burnout among chemistry education undergraduates in Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine how effectively rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) could help university undergraduate students in chemistry to manage academic burnout. Methods: We surveyed 468 undergraduates in the chemistry education program for eligibility and included the first 30 students who showed symptoms of high burnout. We randomly assigned 15 students each to the experimental and control groups. The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory for college students was used to assess students' burnout at two different periods. The intervention was delivered using a manual for managing burnout. Results: Pre-test results indicated no significant difference in the burnout scores of the control group (mean ¼ 51.43, standard deviation (SD) ¼ 2.74) and experimental group (mean ¼ 52.31, SD ¼ 3.59), t(28) ¼ 0.749. At post-test, the main effect of time on students' burnout was significant: F(2.27) ¼ 41.91, g p 2 ¼ 0.599. The main effect of group on undergraduates' burnout was also significant: F(1.28) ¼ 1043.67, g p 2 ¼ 0.974. There was a significant time  group interaction effect on burnout among participants: F(2.27) ¼ 41.43, g p 2 ¼ 0.597.

Investigation of burnout syndrome among electrical and building technology undergraduate students in Nigeria

“…[44] Some similar studies with adequate sample sizes based on power calculations include that of Ogbuanya et al (n = 124) [8] , Ugwoke et al (n = 54) [37] , Ezenwaji et al (n = 52), [38] Igbokwe et al (n = 96), [39] and Ezeudu et al (n = 30, n = 36). [41,42] However, a critical analysis of the sample size utilized in these previous and recent studies shows that our current sample is even larger in size, thus, this is an improvement to the sample sizes utilized by clinical trials investigating the impact of REBT on burnout symptoms.…”

“…Some of the previous researches which examined the impact of REBT on burnout were conducted using only school teachers, [37] English education students, [39] and students of Chemistry education. [41,42]…”

“…Furthermore, the clarity regarding the allocation of participants and its randomization procedure, registration of the study in clinical trials registry and increased number of participants makes this study unique and novel from previous similar studies, that is, [8,37–39,41,42] REBT researchers have been encouraged to seek for new study populations and new clients to validate the impact of REBT intervention on a given problem such as burnout. [8,37–39,41,42] The aim is to further understand the cross-cultural relevance and clinical utility of REBT in various settings and patient populations. Our current study added to the realization of this objective which REBT experts seek to achieve by investigating whether REBT program can be effective for dealing with burnout syndrome among the population of undergraduate students of electrical and building technology.…”

Gender Differences in Learning Burnout among Special Education Students

“…Ogbueghu et al (2019) revealed that burnout is common among undergraduate students of Economics Education. Ezeudu, et al (2019) reported that academic burnout is common among undergraduate students of Chemistry Education. Nowack andHanson (2003), andMcCarthy, Pretty andCatano (2006) revealed that burnout poorly forecasts academic achievement of higher institution students.…”

“…Carlotto and Camara (2006) added that students' burnout comprises of psychological tiredness and disengagement. Ezeudu et al (2019) suggested that burnout among students need serious intervention. Their report may not only be important to chemistry students but also special education students.…”