Exploring the Correlation Between Occupational Well-Being and Burnout: An Analysis of Bhutanese Teachers` Data

Abstract

Aims: This study examined the relationship between teachers` occupational well-being and burnout as well as challenges faced by teachers, key drivers of their job satisfaction, factors contributing to their burnout, and suggestion for improving their well-being at school. The well-being of teachers was assessed focusing on affective, behavioral, and health components. Methodology:  A cross-sectional survey study design was used to collect data from the teachers. The target population consists of all primary, middle, and secondary school teachers across the country. To ensure a representative sample, 402 Bhutanese teachers (primary, middle, and secondary school) across the country were selected by employing stratified random sampling method. Different teachers from different grades, schools, and years of experience were selected proportionately. A self-created structured questionnaire was applied to 402 Bhutanese teachers across the country, selected through stratified random sampling method. The instrument demonstrated strong internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach`s alpha coefficient 0.85, 0.78, 0.70, and 0.77 for affective, behavioral, and health well-being, as well as burnout constructs, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (correlation analysis and two sample independent t-test) in RStudio. Results: Among the dimensions of occupational well-being, affective components like anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion require significant attention, with emotional exhaustion being notably high. Regarding potential stressors, high workload, paperwork, students` behavioral and disciplinary issues, and insufficient resources are the most pressing issues for most of the teachers. The most satisfying aspects of the job for teachers are having supportive colleagues, experiencing positive interactions with students, and receiving competitive salary and benefits. Conclusion: For policy makers and school administrators, the findings of this study underscore the importance of implementing strategies to mitigate emotional exhaustion, such as providing mental health resources, fostering a supportive work environment, offering professional development opportunities focused on stress management, and improving students` behavioral and disciplinary issues. Addressing the foregoing issues can lead to a decrease in burnout rates, ultimately improving teacher retention and the overall quality of education.