Reigniting work engagement through coping for burned-out academics: An open distance learning context
Orientation: The South African higher education landscape is undergoing significant change because of government mandates, the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and digitalisation. This has led to an increase in job demands, contributing to burnout among academics and necessitating e...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2025-05-01
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| Series: | SA Journal of Industrial Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/2264 |
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| Summary: | Orientation: The South African higher education landscape is undergoing significant change because of government mandates, the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and digitalisation. This has led to an increase in job demands, contributing to burnout among academics and necessitating effective coping strategies to sustain their work engagement.
Research purpose: This research sought to understand the lived experiences of academics and the coping strategies they use to remain engaged in their work despite experiencing burnout.
Motivation for the study: It was necessary to hear the lived experiences of academics in a comprehensive open distance e-learning institution and the coping strategies they use to maintain work engagement despite experiencing burnout, as this is underexplored.
Research approach/design and method: An interpretive qualitative design was used to explore the diverse experiences of academics. Data from semi-structured interviews with purposively selected academics were analysed using content analysis to extract key themes.
Main findings: The lived experiences presented an integrative approach by academics, combining emotional intelligence and personal and professional coping strategies to reduce burnout and enhance work engagement and personal well-being.
Practical/managerial implications: The conceptual framework highlights the importance of using an integrated approach, combining emotional intelligence and coping strategies to strengthen optimal psychological well-being and functioning, to enhance personal wellbeing, increase work engagement and lower burnout among academics.
Contribution/value-add: This research offers insights into burnout’s impact on academics and presents a framework to assist academics in managing burnout stressors while enhancing work engagement and overall well-being. |
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| ISSN: | 0258-5200 2071-0763 |