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Effects of an 8-Week Yoga-Based Physical Exercise Intervention on Teachers’ Burnout

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Latino

    (Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70123 Bari, Italy)

  • Stefania Cataldi

    (Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70123 Bari, Italy)

  • Francesco Fischetti

    (Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70123 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to investigate the efficacy of an 8-week yoga-based physical exercise program to improve mental and emotional well-being and consequently reduce burnout among teachers. We considered yoga because it is a discipline that enhances body awareness and encourages the contact with nature and the respect for every form of life, with a view to a more sustainable and greener global system. We recruited 40 professional educators (40–47 years), teachers in a public high school who reported perceiving signs of stress and emotional discomfort. We randomly assigned the 40 professional educators to either an experimental yoga practice (~60 min, twice a week) group ( n = 20) or a control group ( n = 20) that received a nonspecific training program (~60 min, twice a week). At baseline and after training we administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory: Educators Survey (MBI-ES) and the State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) to assess teachers’ perceived level of awareness and professional burnout. We found a significant Time × Group interaction for the MBI-ES and SMS, reflecting a meaningful experimental group improvement ( p < 0.001). No significant pre–post changes were found in the control group. The results suggest that an 8-week yoga practice could aid teachers to achieve a greater body and emotional awareness and prevent professional burnout.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Latino & Stefania Cataldi & Francesco Fischetti, 2021. "Effects of an 8-Week Yoga-Based Physical Exercise Intervention on Teachers’ Burnout," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:2104-:d:500221
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaobo Yu & Pengyuan Wang & Xuesong Zhai & Hong Dai & Qun Yang, 2015. "The Effect of Work Stress on Job Burnout Among Teachers: The Mediating Role of Self-efficacy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 122(3), pages 701-708, July.
    2. Andrew Luk & Bessie Chan & Selwyne Cheong & Stanley Ko, 2010. "An Exploration of the Burnout Situation on Teachers in Two Schools in Macau," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 95(3), pages 489-502, February.
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