







































Education, Language and Sociology Research 

ISSN 2690-3644 (Print) ISSN 2690-3652 (Online) 

Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr 

178 

Original Paper 

An Investigation and Research on the Burnout of English 

Teachers in Primary and Secondary Schools in Henan Province 

Lei Yuan1 

1 School of Foreign Languages, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, Henan, China 

 

Received: February 17, 2025    Accepted: March 3, 2025    Online Published: March 16, 2025 

doi:10.22158/elsr.v6n1p178        URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/elsr.v6n1p178 

 

Abstract 

To explore the current situation of burnout among English teachers in primary and secondary schools in 

Henan Province and analyze its influencing factors, this study conducted a questionnaire survey among 

210 English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province, and used the data statistical 

software SPSS for analysis. The results show that the overall burnout of English teachers in primary and 

secondary schools in the province has reached a medium level, and there are significant differences in 

burnout among teachers of different ages, teaching experience, marital statuses, and professional titles. 

Therefore, education policymakers and school administrators need to pay timely attention and take 

appropriate measures to improve the situation. 

Keywords 

teacher burnout, English teachers, SPSS  

 

1. Introduction 

Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion and cynicism that occurs frequently among individuals 

who do ‘people-work’ of some kind. It is mainly manifested in three aspects: emotional exhaustion (EE), 

depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA) (Maslach & Jackson, 1981). Xu, Ji, 

and Chao (2004) believes teacher burnout generally refers to the work fatigue and sense of frustration 

that teachers experience under the long-term pressure of multiple factors, especially when facing 

financial difficulties and social prejudices. This can lead to a state of depression, numbness, indifference, 

and fatigue, and is manifested as a morbid psychology and behavior in daily life. Previously, teacher 

burnout has become a topic of great concern in academic circles, and many scholars have conducted 

research from different perspectives. Through a questionnaire survey of kindergarten teachers across 

various systems in Beijing, Liang and Feng (2004) found that the burnout situation among these teachers 

is not optimistic. Their study identified multiple influencing factors, including background, societal, 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

179 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

organizational, occupational, and personal factors. Specifically, these factors encompassed the social 

recognition of kindergarten teachers, the kindergarten systems in place, and teacher role positioning. In 

the field of physical education, Zhao, Wang, and Tian (2014) showed that the burnout level of female 

teachers is significantly higher than that of male teachers. There is no significant difference in some 

dimensions among different age groups. Academic qualifications affect the level of reduced personal 

accomplishment. Self-esteem is negatively correlated with burnout and is a mediating variable for the 

impact of social support on burnout. Huang and Zhang (2018) pointed out that college teachers show 

obvious burnout due to factors such as educational reform and professional characteristics, and it can be 

alleviated by measures such as guiding the establishment of career ideals, strengthening the concept of 

lifelong learning, strengthening humanistic care, and paying attention to the combined force of social 

support. Hu (2021) employed a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, adopting a perspective 

rooted in positive psychology, to find that the overall level of burnout among college English major 

teachers is not high. Personality characteristics affect the level of burnout, and teachers can relieve 

burnout from the emotional, personality, and cognitive levels.  

It can be seen that previous studies on teacher burnout mostly focused on college teachers, physical 

education teachers in primary and secondary schools, or kindergarten teachers, and there were few studies 

on English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province. As the province with the largest 

number of students in basic education in China, Henan Province accounts for one-tenth of the national 

total and has an important impact on the development of basic education in the whole country. With the 

continuous deepening of educational reform in Henan Province, English teachers in primary and 

secondary schools are under more work pressure and challenges, and the problem of burnout has become 

more prominent. Based on this, this research takes English teachers in primary and secondary schools in 

various places in Henan Province as the research object, and uses questionnaire surveys and SPSS data 

analysis to study the current situation of burnout among English teachers in primary and secondary 

schools in Henan Province and analyze its causes. This research can not only help to enrich the theoretical 

model of teacher burnout, provide new perspectives and data support for future research, but also enable 

education policymakers and school administrators to better understand the causes of teacher burnout, and 

then develop effective intervention measures to enhance teachers’ work motivation and teaching 

effectiveness. 

 

2. Research Design 

2.1 Research Subjects 

This study targeted 210 English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province who 

participated in the “National Training” and “Provincial Training” programs. These teachers differed in 

terms of age, educational background, teaching experience, marital status, the schools they taught in, and 

the teaching levels, forming an ideal sample for this research. Specifically, there were 182 female teachers, 

accounting for the majority. Teachers under the age of 40 accounted for 70%, and most of them held a 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

180 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

bachelor’s degree. Taking these teachers as the research subjects can well reflect the current situation of 

burnout among English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province, making the 

research more practical. The basic information of the teachers is shown in Table 1. 

 

Table 1. Basic Information of Teachers 

Variables Types Frequency  Proportion (%) 

Gender 
Male 28 13.3 

Female 182 86.7 

Age 

20-30 61 29.0 

31-40 88 41.9 

41-50 55 26.2 

＞ 50 6 2.9 

Educational Background 

 Associate 4 1.9 

Undergraduate 192 91.4 

Postgraduate 14 6.7 

Teaching Experience 

0-5 57 27.1 

6-10 33 15.7 

11-20 73 34.8 

＞ 20 47 22.4 

Marital Status 
Unmarried 52 24.8 

Married 158 75.2 

School Type 
Rural School 92 43.8 

Urban School 118 56.2 

Teaching Level 

Primary School 60 28.6 

Junior High School  148 70.5 

Senior High School  2 1.0 

Administrative Position 
No 116 55.2 

Yes 94 44.8 

Professional Title 

Unrated 21 10.0 

Level 2 77 36.7 

Level 1 88 41.9 

Senior and Above 24 11.4 

 

 

 

 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

181 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

2.2 Research Methods 

2.2.1 Questionnaire Survey Method  

In this study, the questionnaire was developed based on the Burnout Inventory-Education Survey (MBI-

ES). The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), developed by Maslach and Jackson in the early 1980s based 

on a three-dimensional theoretical model, has been widely used as a standardized assessment tool across 

multiple occupational groups, including education and healthcare (Maslach & Jackson, 1981). 

Subsequent revisions and cross-cultural validation studies, conducted by scholars such as Bakker and 

Schaufeli, have further enhanced its reliability and validity (Bakker & Schaufeli, 2000). The instrument’s 

psychometric properties and the stability of its factor structure have been empirically supported 

worldwide. Specifically, questions 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 13, 14, 16, and 20 belong to the emotional exhaustion 

dimension; questions 5, 10, 11, 15, and 22 belong to the depersonalization dimension; and questions 4, 

7, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, and 21 belong to the reduced personal accomplishment dimension. The reduced 

personal accomplishment part is scored in reverse. The scale uses a Likert 5-point scoring method, with 

options of “Never = 1”, “Rarely = 2”, “Sometimes = 3”, “Often = 4”, and “Always = 5”. The average 

score is obtained by adding up all the scores and dividing by 22, which represents the severity of one’s 

own burnout problem. During the teachers’ participation in the training, electronic questionnaires were 

successively distributed through Wenjuanxing, and a total of 210 valid questionnaires were obtained.  

To ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, SPSS was used for reliability and validity tests. 

In terms of reliability testing, the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient was used to test the overall scale and its 

various dimensions. The results show that the overall reliability coefficient of the scale reaches 0.92, 

indicating that the scale has good internal consistency. The reliability coefficients of the emotional 

exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment dimensions are 0.90, 0.76, and 0.85, 

respectively. In terms of validity testing, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s test were carried 

out for this questionnaire survey. The value of the sampling adequacy measure in KMO is 0.91, which is 

greater than 0.6, and the significance value is 0.00, which meets the condition of being less than 0.05. 

This proves that this research survey has a high degree of validity. The reliability and validity of the 

questionnaire are shown in Tables 2 and 3.  

 

Table 2. The Reliability of Each Dimension and the Overall Scale 

Indicators Cronbach’s alpha N 

EE 0.90 9 

DP 0.76 5 

PA 0.85 8 

Overall 0.92 22 

 

 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

182 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

Table 3. KMO and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity 

KMO 0.91 

 Approximate Chi-Square 2710.54 

Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity df 231 

 p 0.000 

 

2.2.2 Data Statistical Method 

This study used SPSS 27.0 to analyze the data of the questionnaire survey. Reliability and validity tests 

were applied to verify the reliability of the questionnaire; descriptive statistics were applied to analyze 

the basic situation of teachers, providing a basis for further research; independent samples t-tests and 

one-way between-groups ANOVA were applied to compare the differences in the three dimensions of 

teachers’ burnout (EE, DP, and PA) and overall burnout among different demographic variables, and to 

analyze the causes of teachers’ burnout. 

 

3. Result 

3.1 Current Situation of Burnout among English Teachers in Primary and Secondary Schools in Henan 

Province  

To comprehensively explore the overall situation of burnout among English teachers in primary and 

secondary schools in Henan Province, this study used descriptive analysis to analyze the relevant data. 

The specific situation is shown in Table 4. The results show that in the emotional exhaustion dimension, 

the average score is 2.78, and the standard deviation is 0.80. Taking 1 point as no burnout and 5 points 

as a very serious burnout problem as the standard, this score indicates that teachers have a certain degree 

of burnout in emotional exhaustion, but the overall situation is not serious. In the depersonalization 

dimension, the average score is 1.99, and the standard deviation is 0.74, indicating that the degree of 

burnout of teachers in depersonalization is relatively low. In the reduced personal accomplishment 

dimension, the average score is 2.45, and the standard deviation is 0.67, which means that teachers have 

a certain degree of burnout in reduced personal accomplishment. From the perspective of overall burnout, 

the average score of 210 teachers is 2.48, and the standard deviation is 0.62. To sum up, the burnout of 

English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province is at a medium level on the whole, 

and it is necessary to pay certain attention and take appropriate measures to improve it.  

 

 

 

 

 

 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

183 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

Table 4. Overall Status of Teacher Burnout 

Dimensions N M SD 

EE 210 2.78 0.80 

DP 210 1.99 0.74 

PA 210 2.45 0.67 

Overall 210 2.48 0.62 

 

3.2 Demographic Variable Analysis of Burnout among English Teachers in Primary and Secondary 

Schools in Henan Province 

3.2.1 Gender Differences in Teacher Burnout 

An independent samples t-test was used to examine the burnout scores of teachers of different genders 

and explore whether there were significant differences in each dimension. The analysis results are shown 

in Table 5. The results show that there are no significant differences in the emotional exhaustion and 

depersonalization dimensions and overall burnout among teachers of different genders (p > 0.05). 

However, there is a significant difference in the reduced personal accomplishment dimension (p < 0.05), 

and male teachers have a stronger sense of job accomplishment than female teachers. From the 

perspective of the mean value, the overall burnout of male teachers is lower than that of female teachers, 

but there are differences in the other three dimensions. Overall, gender is not a demographic variable that 

affects burnout among English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province.  

 

Table 5. Differences in Teacher Burnout Based on Gender 

 Gender (M ± SD) 
t (208) p 

 Male (n = 28) Female (n = 182) 

EE 2.77 ± 0.95 2.78 ± 0.78 -0.09 0.92 

DP 2.12 ± 1.04 1.97 ± 0.68 0.74 0.46 

PA 2.17 ± 0.74 2.49 ± 0.66 -2.37 0.02 

Overall 2.40 ± 0.65 2.49 ± 0.62 -0.70 0.48 

 

3.2.2 Age Differences in Teacher Burnout 

As shown in Table 6, one-way between-groups ANOVA shows that there are significant differences in 

the depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment dimensions and overall burnout among 

teachers of different ages (p < 0.05). Specifically, the older the teachers are, the lower their burnout. 

Young teachers aged 20-30 have the higher level of burnout, which is consistent with previous studies. 

However, there is no significant difference in the emotional exhaustion dimension among teachers of 

different ages (p > 0.05). Therefore, age is a demographic variable that affects burnout among English 

teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province.  



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

184 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

Table 6. Differences in Teacher Burnout Based on Age 

 Age (M ± SD) F 

(3,206) 
p 

 20-30 (n = 61) 31-40 (n = 88) 41-50 (n = 55) ＞ 50 (n = 6) 

EE 2.92 ± 0.81 2.84 ± 0.72 2.56 ± 0.90 2.42 ± 0.55 2.70 0.47 

DP 2.23 ± 0.72 2.04 ± 0.65 1.70 ± 0.81 1.53 ± 0.37 6.26 ＜ 0.001 

PA 2.76 ± 0.58 2.48 ± 0.60 2.12 ± 0.74 1.92 ± 0.32 11.76 ＜ 0.001 

Overall 2.71 ± 0.56 2.53 ± 0.58 2.20 ± 0.66 2.04 ± 0.41 8.28 ＜ 0.001 

 

3.2.3 Educational Background Differences in Teacher Burnout 

As shown in Table 7, one-way between-groups ANOVA shows that there are no significant differences 

in the emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment dimensions and 

overall burnout among teachers with different educational backgrounds (p > 0.05). Therefore, the 

educational background factor is not a demographic variable that affects burnout among English teachers 

in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province. 

 

Table 7. Differences in Teacher Burnout Based on Educational Background 

 Educational Background (M ± SD) F 

(2,207) 
p 

 Associate (n = 4) Graduate (n = 192) Postgraduate (n = 14) 

EE 3.00 ± 1.09 2.79 ± 0.81 2.63 ± 0.54 0.41 0.67 

DP 2.65 ± 0.98 1.97 ± 0.74 2.13 ± 0.57 1.97 0.14 

PA 2.90 ± 0.26 2.45 ± 0.68 2.40 ± 0.70 0.95 0.39 

Overall 2.89 ± 0.71 2.48 ± 0.63 2.43 ± 0.51 0.89 0.41 

 

3.2.4 Teaching Experience Differences in Teacher Burnout 

One-way between-groups ANOVA was used to examine the overall burnout scores of teachers with 

different teaching experience and whether there were significant differences in each dimension. The 

analysis results are shown in Table 8. The results show that there are significant differences in the 

depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment dimensions and overall burnout among teachers 

with different teaching experience (p < 0.05), that is, the longer the teaching experience, the lower the 

level of burnout. However, there is no significant difference in the emotional exhaustion dimension 

among teachers with different teaching experience (p > 0.05). This result is the same as that of examining 

the impact of teachers’ age on burnout. To sum up, the teaching experience factor is a demographic 

variable that affects burnout among English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province. 

 

 

 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

185 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

Table 8. Differences in Teacher Burnout Based on Teaching Experience 

 Teaching Experience (M ± SD) F 

(3,206) 
p 

 0-5 (n = 57) 6-10 (n = 33) 11-20 (n = 73) ＞ 20 (n = 47) 

EE 2.86 ± 0.76 2.91 ± 0.68 2.76 ± 0.85 2.63 ± 0.83 1.08 0.36 

DP 2.20 ± 0.69 2.07 ± 0.66 2.01 ± 0.77 1.65 ± 0.68 5.45 0.001 

PA 2.70 ± 0.58 2.63 ± 0.60 2.41 ± 0.70 2.09 ± 0.64 9.02 ＜ 0.001 

Overall 2.65 ± 0.54 2.62 ± 0.55 2.46 ± 0.65 2.21 ± 0.64 5.32 0.001 

 

3.2.5 Marital Status Differences in Teacher Burnout 

As shown in Table 9, the results of the independent samples t-test indicate that there are significant 

differences in the reduced personal accomplishment dimension and overall burnout among teachers with 

different marital statuses (p < 0.05). Unmarried teachers have a higher level of burnout, while married 

teachers have a lower level of burnout. However, there are no significant differences in the emotional 

exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions among teachers with different marital statuses (p > 0.05). 

Overall, marital status is still a demographic variable that affects burnout among English teachers in 

primary and secondary schools in Henan Province. 

 

Table 9. Differences in Teacher Burnout Based on Marital Status 

 Marital Status (M ± SD) 
t (208) p 

 Unmarried (n = 52) Married (n = 158) 

EE 2.84 ± 0.74 2.76 ± 0.82 0.60 0.55 

DP 2.15 ± 0.67 1.94 ± 0.75 1.76 0.08 

PA 2.75 ± 0.55 2.35 ± 0.68 3.76 0.01 

Overall 2.65 ± 0.51 2.43 ± 0.65 2.34 0.03 

 

3.2.6 School Type Differences in Teacher Burnout 

As shown in Table 10, the results of the independent samples t-test show that there are no significant 

differences in the three dimensions of burnout and overall burnout among teachers in different types of 

schools (p > 0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that the type of school where teachers teach is not a 

demographic variable that affects burnout among English teachers in primary and secondary schools in 

Henan Province. 

 

 

 

 

 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

186 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

Table 10. Differences in Teacher Burnout Based on School Type 

 School Type (M ± SD) 
t (208) p 

 Rural School (n = 92) Urban School (n = 118) 

EE 2.70 ± 0.75 2.84 ± 0.84 -1.29 0.20 

DP 2.02 ± 0.76 1.97 ± 0.72 0.41 0.68 

PA 2.50 ± 0.67 2.41 ± 0.69 0.92 0.36 

Overall 2.47 ± 0.58 2.49 ± 0.66 -0.21 0.84 

 

3.2.7 Teaching Level Differences in Teacher Burnout 

One-way between-groups ANOVA was used to examine the overall burnout scores of teachers at different 

teaching levels and whether there were significant differences in each dimension. The analysis results 

are shown in Table 11. The results show that there are no significant differences in the three dimensions 

of burnout and overall burnout among English teachers at different teaching levels (p > 0.05). From the 

perspective of the mean value, although the English teachers at the senior high school stage have higher 

scores in all dimensions of burnout and overall burnout than those at the other two teaching levels, the 

English teachers at these two teaching levels also face pressure in their work. Therefore, it can be 

concluded that the teaching levels where teachers teach is not a demographic variable that affects burnout 

among English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province. 

 

Table 11. Differences in Teacher Burnout Based on Teaching Level 

 Teaching Level (M ± SD) F 

(2,207) 
p 

 Primary (n = 60) Junior High (n = 148) Senior High (n = 2) 

EE 2.79 ± 0.77 2.77 ± 0.82 2.94 ± 0.86 0.05 0.95 

DP 2.00 ± 0.74 1.97 ± 0.73 2.90 ± 0.14 1.58 0.21 

PA 2.43 ± 0.60 2.46 ± 0.71 2.69 ± 0.44 0.15 0.86 

Overall 2.48 ± 0.62 2.48 ± 0.63 2.84 ± 0.55 0.34 0.72 

 

3.2.8 Administrative Position Differences in Teacher Burnout 

As shown in Table 12, the results of the independent samples t-test show that there are no significant 

differences in the three dimensions of burnout and overall burnout among English teachers with or 

without administrative positions such as class teacher or other administrative positions (p > 0.05). 

Therefore, it can be concluded that the administrative position is not a demographic variable that affects 

burnout among English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province. 

 

 

 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

187 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

Table 12. Differences in Teacher Burnout Based on Administrative Position 

 Administrative Position (M ± SD) 
t (208) p 

 No (n = 116) Yes (n = 94) 

EE 2.71 ± 0.80 2.86 ± 0.80 -1.33 0.18 

DP 2.03 ± 0.75 1.94 ± 0.72 0.83 0.41 

PA 2.49 ± 0.63 2.41 ± 0.73 0.87 0.39 

Overall 2.48 ± 0.60 2.49 ± 0.65 -0.14 0.89 

 

3.2.9 Professional Title Differences in Teacher Burnout 

One-way between-groups ANOVA was used to examine the overall burnout of teachers with different 

professional titles and whether there were significant differences in each dimension. The specific analysis 

results are shown in Table 13. The results show that there are significant differences in the three 

dimensions of burnout and overall burnout among teachers with different professional titles (p < 0.05). 

English teachers with lower professional titles have a higher level of burnout, while teachers with higher 

professional titles have a lower level of burnout. Therefore, it can be concluded that the professional title 

is a demographic variable that affects burnout among English teachers in primary and secondary schools 

in Henan Province. 

 

Table 13. Differences in Teacher Burnout Based on Professional Title 

 Professional Title (M ± SD) 
F 

(3,206) 
p 

 
Unrated  

(n = 21) 

Level 2 

 (n = 77) 

Level 1  

(n = 88) 

Senior and Above  

(n = 24) 

EE 2.69 ± 0.84 2.87 ± 0.76 2.84 ± 0.84 2.34 ± 0.63 3.08 0.03 

DP 2.25 ± 0.79 2.07 ± 0.66 1.98 ± 0.79 1.55 ± 0.56 4.40 0.01 

PA 2.92 ± 0.72 2.56 ± 0.54 2.40 ± 0.71 1.89 ± 0.50 11.54 ＜ 0.001 

Overall 2.67 ± 0.63 2.58 ± 0.56 2.48 ± 0.65 2.00 ± 0.50 6.77 ＜ 0.001 

 

4. Conclusion 

The above research shows that the burnout of English teachers in primary and secondary schools in 

Henan Province has reached a medium level, especially in terms of emotional experience at work, which 

has been negatively affected to a relatively serious extent. In terms of influencing factors, age, teaching 

experience, marital status, and professional title are the main factors contributing to burnout among 

English teachers in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province. Younger, less experienced, and 

lower-ranked growth-oriented English teachers often lack teaching experience at the onset of their careers. 

Consequently, they tend to be hesitant when dealing with unexpected classroom incidents and managing 

unruly students. Moreover, the necessity to navigate complex interpersonal relationships, friendships, 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

188 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

and family ties further compounds the challenges they face. As a result, these teachers are required to 

devote substantial time and effort to their work, thus resulting in a higher level of burnout. At the same 

time, married English teachers receive support and care from their partners and children. When they 

encounter stress and troubles at work, the understanding and encouragement from their families can 

relieve negative emotions and enable them to engage in work with a better state, so their level of burnout 

is lower than that of unmarried teachers. Moreover, professional title evaluation is closely related to 

teachers’ career development and salary. In order to meet the requirements of professional title evaluation, 

young teachers often have to take on more teaching tasks and participate in scientific research projects, 

which increases their pressure. Teachers with higher professional titles have relatively stable career 

development, reduced pressure in teaching and scientific research, higher job satisfaction, and thus a 

lower level of job burnout. 

Therefore, for teachers, especially novice teachers, it is necessary to actively engage in their own 

professional development, adapt to the characteristics of the education industry as soon as possible, learn 

to actively cope with stress, take the initiative to seek help when encountering difficulties and problems, 

enhance positive emotional experiences, develop positive psychological qualities, improve overall well-

being, and reduce burnout (Wang, 2015). Education policymakers and school administrators in Henan 

Province should also actively respond to the teacher burden-reduction policy. It is necessary to optimize 

the professional title evaluation system, reduce the burden of non-teaching tasks on teachers, and improve 

the teacher training system. Hierarchical and classified training plans should be developed for teachers 

at different ages, teaching years, and professional title stages. Only when all relevant parties truly care 

about the development of primary and secondary school teachers, create a good educational and teaching 

environment, and implement effective intervention measures to enhance teachers’ work motivation can 

the burnout among teachers be effectively reduced. 

Of course, this study has certain limitations in sample selection and other aspects. For instance, teachers 

with an associate degree account for only 1.9%, and those teaching at the high school level represent 

merely 1.0%. These figures are insufficient to adequately characterize the features and burnout status of 

this particular group. Uneven sample distribution may reduce the universality and accuracy of the results, 

which is not conducive to comprehensively grasping the overall situation. Future research should expand 

the scope of the sample, reasonably increase the number of participants with an associate degree and 

those teaching at the high school level, and enhance the reliability and validity of the results. This will 

enable a more precise revelation of the overall picture and the influencing factors. 

 

References 

Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2002). Validation of the Maslach burnout inventory-

general survey: An internet study. Anxiety, Stress & Coping, 15(3), 245-260. 

https://doi.org/10.1080/1061580021000020716 

https://doi.org/10.1080/1061580021000020716


www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr              Education, Language and Sociology Research              Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025 

189 
Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

Hu, Y. (2021). A study on burnout among university English teachers from a positive psychology 

perspective: Current situation and strategies. Foreign Language World, 4, 88-96. 

Huang, X. Z., & Zhang, P. (2018). A study on burnout among university teachers. Heilongjiang Higher 

Education Research, 36(7), 130-133. 

Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2017). Burnout and engagement: Contributions to a new vision. Burnout 

research, 5, 55-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burn.2017.04.003 

Liang, H. J., & Feng, X. X. (2004). A study on the burnout status and causes among preschool teachers 

in Beijing. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 5, 32-35. 

Maslach, C., & Jackson, S. E. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. Journal of 

Organizational Behavior, 2(2), 99-113. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205 

Wang, D. J. (2015). An analysis of the current status and causes of teacher burnout in primary and 

secondary schools in Henan Province. Journal of Zhengzhou University (Medical Sciences Edition), 

50(1), 110-114. 

Xu, F. M., Ji, F., & Chao, Q. L. (2004). Development and validation of a burnout questionnaire for 

primary and secondary school teachers. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1, 13-14+95. 

Zhao, F. X., Wang, F. B., & Tian, G. X. (2014). The relationship between burnout, social support, and 

self-esteem among secondary school physical education teachers. Journal of School Studies, 11(6), 

78-86. 

 


