Burnout symptoms among university staff and faculty in Iceland ; Tíðni kulnunareinkenna og skýringar á kulnun starfsfólks í háskólum á Íslandi

Burnout is “a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that results from long-term involvement in work situations that are emotionally demanding” (Schaufeli & Greenglass, 2001, p. 501). Burnout results from prolonged hyperactivity of the body’s stress systems, the sympathetic autonomic nervous system as well as the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis. This chronic hyperactivity leads to cognitive and physical symptoms, such as memory issues, concentration difficulties, executive function impairment, and heightened sensitivity to stimuli. Common physical symptoms include cardiovascular issues, digestive problems, muscle tension, and headaches. Accumulated stress can also result in irritability, affecting social health, and can potentially lead to substance abuse as a means of self-medicating. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon rather than a syndrome, emphasising workplace responsibility. Research on the Job-Demands Resources (J-DR) model indicates that burnout can result from an imbalance between work demands and available resources. Excessive demands, such as high workloads, cognitive and emotional strain, combined with insufficient resources, such as workplace support, predict burnout (Demerouti et al., 2001). Social support from colleagues is a critical protective factor, while competitive workplace cultures can exacerbate burnout symptoms. Although burnout is prevalent among primary and secondary school teachers, it has not been previously studied among university staff in Iceland. Research from other countries indicates that burnout is a similarly pervasive issue among university educators due to the socially, emotionally, and cognitively demanding nature of the work (Watts & Robertson, 2011). Differing from educators at lower levels, academic staff are also scientific researchers, expected to disseminate findings in scientific journals and books, and at conferences. Research has shown that younger and less experienced university faculty are ...